i ’  
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
FIRST REGULAR SESSlOq 
1 
S E N A T E  
I 
SB Mo. 
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JINGGOY ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Since ~ O ’ S ,  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 Commision to Survey Philippine Education 
supports the above allegation. 
With the onset of the new millenium, it is high time we re-examine as well 
as re-assert the Pilipino 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. 
J 
IT0 ESTRADA 
\ Senator 


f 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
'04 J\)N 39 pi1 
S E N A T E  
S.B. NO. 9 0 9  
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
ON ACT 
STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF THE VERNACULAR AND FILIPINO IN 
FUNCTIONAL 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. 
SECTION 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. 
SECTION 3. 
In 
Grades 
One, Two, and Three of the elementary 
level, the vernacular shall be the language of instruction, for all subjects with 
Filipino as a separate subject and the auxilliary language of instruction. Filipino 
shall be taught as a separate subject until the fourth year of secondary 
education. 
SECTION 4. 
In Grade Three, English as foreign language shall be 
introduced as a separate subject and shall continue to be taught as a separete 
subject until the fourth year of secondary education. 


SECTION 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. 
SECTION 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. 
SECTION 7. 
The Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall 
promulgate such rules and regulations to carry out effectively the provisions of 
this Act. 
SECTION 8. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 9. This Act shall take effect upon is approval. 
Approved,