QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 335)
EO No. 335 cites the 1987 Constitution provisions that Filipino is the national language; that as it evolves it shall be further developed and enriched on the basis of existing Philippine and other languages; and that for purposes of communication and instruction, the official languages are Filipino and, until otherwise provided by law, English.
EO 335 is an executive issuance that enjoins and directs all departments, bureaus, offices, and instrumentalities of the government to take necessary steps to enhance and use Filipino in official transactions, communications, and correspondence.
All departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities of the government, whether national or local, are covered.
EO 335 requires each office to assign one or more personnel, as may be necessary, to take charge of all communications and correspondence written in Filipino.
It requires the translation into Filipino of names of offices, buildings, public offices, and signboards of all offices, divisions, or instrumentalities; optionally, the English text may be imprinted below in smaller letters.
It requires that the “Oath of Office” for government officials and personnel be Filipinized.
Each office must include, as part of its training programs for personnel development, proficiency in the use of Filipino in official communications and correspondence.
The IPL is ordered and authorized to formulate and implement programs and projects, including campaigns on Filipino’s importance, translation of the EO and reference government terms, training, monitoring, reporting, and other strategies for full implementation.
The IPL must monitor implementation and submit periodic progress reports of implementation to the Office of the President through the Department of Education, Culture and Sports.
EO 335 authorizes the IPL to coordinate with and request support from all government departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities, both national and local.
EO 335 states that intensified use of Filipino in official transactions, communications, and correspondence will hasten greater understanding and appreciation among the people of government programs and activities, serving as an instrument of unity and peace for national progress.
It enjoins all offices to enhance the use of Filipino in all official communications, transactions, and correspondence in their respective offices, whether national or local.
EO 335 supersedes Executive Order No. 187 dated August 6, 1969.
A practical implied compliance example is assigning staff to handle Filipino communications, conducting staff training to develop proficiency in Filipino for official correspondence, and updating office/building names and signboards with Filipino translations (with English optional below in smaller letters).