Talisay SP praises Gullas English bill

CEBU, Philippines – The Talisay City Council has commended first district Rep. Eduardo R. Gullas's English Bill saying it is one way of making the country "highly competitive" in the global arena.

"The need to keep the students in Talisay City and the rest of the country to be highly competitive in this knowledge-based world by making them well-educated in the English language should be given importance," read a portion of Resolution No. 2010-6-5, which was adopted unanimously by the city council members yesterday morning during its regular session.

It also said that it is "imperative" that the trend of education in the present times is globalization, "thus, the City of Talisay shares the view of the Honorable Congressman that there is a need to align the education of the young with the requirements and realities of business life, in the light of international relations and global competition."

The resolution further added that the English language is "the key to understanding and a tool of learning and communication to stay competitive in job markets locally and abroad, should be used as a medium of instruction in all levels in education in Talisay City and the rest of the country."

This measure was proposed by Gullas' own grandson Councilor Eduardo R. Gullas III, who is vice-chairman on committee on Education, Arts, Culture, Science and Technology.

Gullas recently re-filed his English Bill now House Bill 93 in the 15th Congress after it got stalled in the last Congress due to some hitches such as the lack of quorum among others. The same bill, then HB 305, was already passed by the Committees on Basic Education, Technical and Higher Education and Appropriation during the 13th Congress, and was co-authored by 216, of the 235, members of the Lower House.

Last week, Gullas met with the committee on Basic Education to sponsor his bill, where it is now waiting for its second hearing.

HB 93 or an Act to Strengthen and Enhance the Use of English as the Medium of Instruction in Philippine Schools mandates the use of the English language the medium of instruction (MOI) in all academic subjects from Grade III-VI and in all levels in the secondary. It also dictates that English and Filipino shall be taught as separate subjects in all levels in the elementary and secondary. While in the college level, the current language policy as prescribed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will be maintained.

The veteran lawmaker however said only pupils from the pre-school to Grade 3 can use either English or Filipino language or their own regional language.

The congressman said this measure is one of the solutions seen as a way to improve the quality of education in the country that is currently "deteriorating." (FREEMAN)