ANGELES CITY—Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. is pushing fo the promotion of Kapampangan as an intellectual language by using it as the medium of instruction in the city’s 76 day care centers.
Lazatin, in his letter to the City Social Welfare and Development Office head Edna Duaso, said Kapampangan language should be used at least three hours per week once face-to-face classes resume.
He cited a provision of City Ordinance No. 426 which states that “the Angeles City government shall promote Kapampangan as an intellectual language by restoring its rightful place in education.”
“With Kapampangan as Angeles City’s heritage language and mother tongue, educational establishments at all levels, in accordance with DepEd Order No. 74, s. 2009 (Mother Tongue-based Multilingual Education) and section 5-F of the K-12 Law (R.A. 10533,) are enjoined to encourage the use of Kapampangan in official school gatherings, meetings, programs, and celebrations,” he said in his letter.
Lazatin said the initiative aims to preserve, safeguard, revitalize, and promote the use of Kapampangan in the city.
He likewise sought the help of local media to ensure the next generation of Kapampangans carry the city’s culture and language.
The city council, headed by Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting, has begun reinforcing the use of Kapampangan by sending out resolutions written in the Amánung Sísuan or mother tongue.