(The Bataan provincial government provided this building serving as school for Ayta elders to teach their vanishing dialect to younger tribal folk. Photo Courtesy of the Philippine Information Agency)
BALANGA CITY — The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) has opened a Bahay-Wika in Abucay, Bataan to promote and preserve the vanishing Ayta Magbukun dialect in the province.
KWF chairperson Virgilo Almario said this was the country’s “first language immersion program that aims to revitalize native languages which are at risk of disappearing.”
“Language is part of our culture and history so we should preserve it and pass to the next generation,” Almario stressed.
Data from KWF show that there are 131 recognized languages in the country, including 30 which are classified as endangered and in need of preservation.
Abucay Mayor Liberato Santiago expressed gratitude to KWF “for giving importance to the native tribe” in his town.
“This project of KWF means a lot to our community especially to a small tribe in our town that’s why we should not waste this opportunity given to us,” Santiago said.
The Bataan provincial government provided the funding for the building where Ayta children five years old and below will be taught by their elders to learn their endangered dialect.
