Manila: The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) has called on parents, particularly mothers, to actively encourage their children to speak Filipino, warning that the national language faces the risk of being overshadowed by the prevalence of English.

According to Philippines News Agency, KWF Chairperson Marites Barrios-Taran highlighted the alarming decline in Filipino fluency among children during a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview. She cited reports from parents indicating that their kids struggle to communicate in Filipino. Barrios-Taran stressed that the most effective way to preserve Filipino and other native languages is through their daily use, starting at home.

‘Wala pong ibang magmamahal sa wika natin kung hindi tayo lamang (No one else will love our language except us),’ she stated, underscoring the importance of using the language regularly. She further explained that a language perishes when it is not used, emphasizing that this is the greatest challenge and danger faced by the Filipino language today. Children, from the moment they wake, are often surrounded by English, she added.

Barrios-Taran urged families to prioritize Filipino or native languages as their main form of communication within the household. Simple actions, such as responding with ‘magandang umaga’ instead of ‘good morning,’ can significantly aid children in becoming comfortable with the language.

Furthermore, Barrios-Taran advocated for the use of Filipino and native languages in public spaces, including schools, markets, churches, and government offices. ‘If we don’t use it, no one else will persevere in using it,’ she remarked.

The KWF’s initiative arises amid growing concerns that globalization and the dominance of English in media, education, and social interaction are reducing the everyday use of Filipino among younger generations.