The country’s biggest language and cultural organizations called for the restoration of Filipino and Literature subjects at the tertiary level.
In a unity statement, 14 language organizations underscored the need to advocate for nationalist and pro-people education that promotes people’s history, national identity, the general public welfare, and the welfare of teachers and education support personnel.
The Alyansa ng mga Tagapagtanggol ng Wikang Filipino/Alliance of Defenders of the Filipino Language (TANGGOL WIKA), Pambansang Samahan sa Linggwistika at Literaturang Filipino/National Organization for Philippine Linguistics and Literature (PSLLF), Sanggunian sa Filipino/Council on the Filipino Language (SANGFIL), Propesyunal na Asosasyon ng mga Tagapagtaguyod ng Salin/Professional Association of Translation Advocates (PATAS), Pampelikulang Samahan ng mga Dalubguro/Film Association of Professors (PASADO), Filipinas Institute of Translation (FIT), Samahan ng mga Guro sa Intelektuwalisasyon ng Filipino/Organization of Teachers for the Intellectualization of Filipino (SAGIF), Samahang Lazaro Francisco/Lazaro Francisco Organization (SLF), Aklat Alamid, KM64, Cavite Young Writers Association, Balangay Productions, Sagip-Wika, and Supling Sining underscored the importance of restoring the said subjects in the college level.
Given this, the language and cultural organizations also endorsed the ACT Teachers Partylist which they consider a “defender of language, literature, culture, and country.”
For the first time, the organizations signed the statement of support for ACT Teachers Partylist citing its track record for education, among others.
ACT Teachers Partylist is the principal author of House Bill 223 which seeks to restore nine units of Filipino and three units of Panitikan/Literature as mandatory subjects in college.
The same partylist is the principal author of House Bill 8621 which provides for the mandatory inclusion of Philippine History in high school.
The organizations expressed support for ACT Teachers Partylist because with or without elections, it “serves as the genuine voice of humanistic, pro-people, and emancipatory education.”