Ben Contreras LANGUAGE and dialect, national or local, give and define our identity, our race and our country. We seem to be momentarily lost until we discover that many of our children can no longer understand our own language and local dialect. Many in the upper echelons of our society put more emphasis on English by speaking with the children in English. Thus, when they grow up, they don’t understand some local words. There are exceptional situation when children fail to learn our dialect. More than 20 years ago, when I was still financially down, I couldn’t afford to give my children “baon” to school. The school canteen took care of their meals and snacks and I paid for them every end of the month. Thus, because my kids weren’t exposed to handling money, they would ask me, “Pa, unsa ng singkwenta sentimos?” In a recent discussion with representatives from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), one of their projects for 2017 would be to reeducate our children on our national language and local dialect. Not only that, an attempt to trace certain dialects to their origin is also being considered. French, according to information, love their language so much that they always talk to each other in French in any occasion and place. They only speak English when talking to Americans or other nationals that can speak English. That is being nationalistic and patriotic. We seem to be a different breed. We mix English in our conversation. Thus, we have what we call “Taglish” (Tagalog/English). It’s funny really when you hear people talk in mixed English, Tagalog, Chinese, etc.. Many words are unnecessarily lost in our search for a convenient way to deliver a message or in expressing ourselves. I think it’s a must to revisit our local and national languages while there are still people/elders who are knowledgeable. NCCA is soliciting the assistance of anyone who can contribute to this effort. As Filipinos, we have to if only to strengthen our identity.
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The Department of Labor and Employment has just launched their newest program dubbed “Pangutana mo sa Dole, I-Text mo!” This program is to address the following concerns:
  1. Victims of illegal recruitment and trafficking-in-persons
  2. Separated workers claiming unpaid wages and benefits
  3. Workers engaged in temporary or atypical work arrangements not in accordance with existing labor laws and regulations
  4. Local overseas workers claiming social and health insurance benefits within the jurisdiction of Dole agencies (ECC, NLRC, VA Programs of NCMB)
  5. Workers inquiring about applicable wages and wage related benefits such as minimum wages, overtime pay, holiday pay and similar concerns
  6. Workers with cases filed in Dole offices, attached agencies and “Polos” claiming unpaid wages and benefits.
Two numbers were given for calls: 0977-114-6526 and 0928-233-7806. This service is 24/7 in a sense that anytime in the day, someone will answer your call and in the evening, an answering machine will receive your call that will also automatically record the number you use for a return call when attending personnel are already around.