FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 2639 
'11 
JAN 18 r' 2 :41 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article 14, Section 6 of the 1987 Constitution provides, to wit: 
"Sec. 6. The national language of the Philippines is Filipino. As it 
evolves, it shall be further developed and ennched on the basIs of 
eXisting Philippine and other languages 
Subject to provisions of law and as the Congress may deem 
appropriate, the Government shall take steps to initiate and sustain the 
use of Filipino as a medium of offiCial communication and as language of 
instruction in the educational system" 
Moreover, Article 14, Section 7, provides: 
SeC. 7. For purposes of communication and Instruction, the 
official languages of the Philippines are Filipino and, until otherwise 
provided by law, English. 
It has been observed that there has been a widespread emergence of restaurants and other 
specialty shops in the country bearing slgnages in foreign languages or characters other than English 
This is due to the migration of foreign nationals to the country, and their settlement Into different 
communities within the country. As a means of livelihood, these foreign nationals establish businesses 
which cater primarily to the needs and wants of their fellow migrants. 
It should be remembered that, although these restaurants and shops are meant mainly to provide 
for the basic necessities of these foreigners, It is deemed irreverent that we Filipinos are left to wonder 
what these signages mean and what these businesses are for. I n effect, we are being alienated in our 
very own country, and we are left to figure out for ourselves what these establishments are. 
It is incumbent upon the State to instill and maintain a sense of nationalism among the dwellers 
living within its jurisdiction, whether they are Filipinos or migrants We, as Filipinos, should never be 
subjected to the alienation and seclusion that we are experiencing due to thiS phenomenon 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of thiS bill IS earnestly sought 
M~,Q'D 
/\J~/ 
Senator 
, r 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 2639 
) 
) 
) 
"11 
JAN 18 P 2~ 1 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid ."'pi 
AN ACT 
AMENDING SECTION 447(a){3)(iv) Of THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT 
CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, REQUIRING ALL SIGNS, SiGNBOARDS, 
OR BILLBOARDS WRITTEN IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE OTHER THAN 
ENGLISH 
TO 
BEAR 
CORRESPONDING 
FILIPINO 
OR 
ENGLISH 
TRANSLATION 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. The Local Government Code of the Philippines, Book III, Title 2, 
Chapter III, Article 3, Section 447(a)(3)(iv) is hereby amended to read as follows: 
"Section 447(a)(3)(iv). Regulate the display of and fix the license fees for signs, 
signboards, or billboards at the place or places where the profession or business 
advertised thereby is, in whole or in part, conducted. SAID SIGNS, SIGNBOARDS, OR 
BILLBOARDS SHALL BE WRITTEN IN FILIPINO OR ENGLISH, OR, IF WRITTEN IN 
A 
FOREIGN 
LANGUAGE 
OTHER 
THAN 
ENGLISH, 
SHALL 
BEAR 
CORRESPONDING FILIPINO OR ENGLISH TRANSLATION"; 
SECTION 2. Separability Clause. If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid 
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting. 


SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, 
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION 4. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in THE Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of 
general circulation. 
Approved,