INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Since the 1970s, a bilingual Education Policy has been in force with 
English as the medium of instruction in science and mathematics subjects and 
Filipino as the medium of instruction for all other subjects. Also, teaching science 
and mathematics in English is considered as a response to the need to "avail of 
the advantage of scientific, commercial and cultural links of an international 
language and the need to further develop the national language as an instrument 
of national unity and integration." Note that the revised Bilingual Education 
Policy of 1987 provided for the maintenance of English as an international 
language of the Philippines and the further enhancement of the use of English 
and Filipino in the educational system. 
The report of the Presidential Commission to Survey Philippine Education 
With the onset of the new millennium, it is high time we re-examine as well 
as re-asset the Filipino language in functional library in order to strengthen the 
learning process inside the classroom. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
supports the above allegation. 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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S E N A T E  
Senate Bill No. 
55 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
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AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF THE VERNACULAR AND FILIPINO IN 
FUhlCTlONAL LITERACY AND 
PROVIDING GUIDELINES FOR 
ITS 
CLASSROOM USE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to strengthen, 
accelerate and enrich Filipino as the national language of the Philippines. In 
pursuance of such policy, Filipino shall be further developed and enriched on the 
basis of existing Philippine languages such that by the year 2009, Filipino shall 
be the language of instruction in the educational system. 
SEC 2. Definition of Terms. Filipino refers to the national language of the 
Philippines. 
Vernacular refers to the dominant regional language. 
Auxiliary language of instruction refers to a language which supports the 
language of instruction. 
SEC 3. 
In Grades One, Two, Three of the elementary level, the 
vernacular shall be the language of instruction, for all subjects with Filipino as a 
separate subject and the auxiliary language of instruction. Filipino shall be 
taught as a separate subject until the fourth year of secondary education. 
SEC 4. In Grade Three, English as foreign language shall be introduced 
as a separate subject and shall continue to be taught as a separate subject until 
the fourth year of secondary education. 
SEC 5. In Grade, Four, Filipino shall be the language of instruction and 
shall continue to be the language of instruction for all subjects, except English, 
until the fourth year of education. 
SEC 6. All textbooks, reading and teaching materials for the elementary 
level written in the Vernacular and Filipino shall be prepared in accordance with 


the guidelines and standards for linguistic forms and expressions proposed by 
the Commission on the Filipino Language. 
SEC 7. The Department of Education shall promulgate such rules and 
regulations to carry out effectively the provisions of this Act. 
SEC 8. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations or parts hereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC 9. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 
Approved,