Legarda Lauds Unveiling of 4th Language Marker in Kalinga

Senator Loren Legarda hailed the unveiling of the 4^th Language Marker in the country on June 25, 2018 as a commemoration of the country’s indigenous languages in the form of physical structures designed and created by installation artist Luis ‘Junyee’ Yee Jr.

With the support from the Office of Senator Loren Legarda, the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) and Kalinga State University led the unveiling of the Language Monument or Bantayog-Wika for the Kinalinga language in Tabuk, Kalinga, the second language marker erected in the Cordillera region next to Ifugao, which was inaugurated on March 27, 2018.

“Language is not only part of our culture and history but also an important aspect of our identity as a nation. These Bantayog ng Wika markers are not merely ornaments or displays.  These are symbolisms of our diverse culture that further exemplify our distinct culture and heritage,” Legarda said.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance and a staunch advocate of the Philippine culture and living traditions, ensured funding of language markers for the 131 languages in the country. She also noted that with the people’s desire to be significant in the community and to go with what they believe in is the norm in a modern society, the indigenous languages of the country tend to be neglected and, worst, forgotten due to social and economic forces.

“Many of our indigenous language are in danger of extinction because newer generations have chosen to abandon their native speech to shift to languages that are perceived as superior because it becomes their ticket to greater economic opportunities and social acceptance,” Legarda said.

“This language marker is just part of our effort to save our country’s intangible cultural heritage.  We need to comprehensively document all active, endangered, and dying languages of our ethno-linguistic groups in the country and we should promote the continued use of such languages because these indigenous languages reinforce our distinct Filipino identity,” Legarda concluded.