MANILA, Philippines—The main proponent of the bill espousing English as the medium of instruction in schools has said there was no escaping the pressing need for Filipinos to master the language in this highly competitive world.

Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas also said he was ready to defend his bill against its critics when the House of Representatives resumes sessions next month.

Valenzuela Rep. Magtanggol Gunigundo has opposed the bill, saying he would interpellate its proponents and present studies that show teaching young students in their native tongue would be more beneficial.

“We definitely welcome the plan of critics to raise questions when the measure is finally sent to the floor for plenary discussion,” Gullas said in a statement.

With 202 representatives backing his bill, support for it was overwhelming and formidable, Gullas said. The House has 238 members.

Gullas’ bill would make English the medium of instruction from Grade 4 through high school, except in Filipino taught as a subject. It prescribes that English, Filipino or the regional language may be used from preschool to Grade 3, then English would be the teaching language thereafter.

English would also be promoted as the language of interaction in schools.

The bill would also make English the language of all government exams as well as entrance tests for public schools, including state colleges and universities.

Gunigundo, for his part, has filed a bill advocating a multilingual approach to teaching young students.

His bill would have students taught in their native tongue, be it Tagalog, Ilocano, Bisaya, and the like, because this would help them better understand the lessons and give them a stronger education foundation.

With a strong foundation, students would be better equipped to learn more skills, he said.

He had criticized the Gullas bill as aimed at developing an English-speaking work force to supply the booming call center industry, at the expense of basic education.

Gullas said there was a need to improve Filipinos’ English skills in light of developments in the world.

“We now live and compete in the fast-moving information technology age, and English is the language of technology. So we have to embrace English,” he said.