Gov’t documents, info must be in clear language, local dialect – solon

House of Representatives. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)

MANILA, Philippines — Government documents and information on public services must be written in plain, clear language and translated into local dialects, Quezon City 5th District Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas said on Thursday.

In a statement, Vargas said that in celebration of Buwan ng Wika, he filed House Bill (HB) No. 2880, or the proposed Plain Language for Public Service Act, which aims to “improve the accessibility and effectiveness of government agencies to the public by promoting clear government communication” so that people can easily understand information.

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The bill also seeks to “enhance the transparency and accountability, geared towards good governance, of government agencies to the public.”

“With the many languages of our country, it is important that information from the government is easily understood by the people,” Vargas said.

“As we celebrate Buwan ng Wika, we are reminded that language is a tool of empowerment-and no one should be excluded from public service because of how we communicate,” he added.

Under HB No. 2880, government agencies are mandated to adopt a plain writing style, defined in the bill as text that is “clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience or constituents.”

The measure also requires government agencies to translate information and documents into the predominant language or dialect used in a given area.

“All government agencies and local government units are hereby mandated to adopt Plain Writing in all their communications and in the implementation of their basic functions, mandates, and services,” the bill’s Section 4 said.

“All government agencies and local government units are likewise mandated to translate to the predominant language or dialect all communications and implementation of their basic functions, mandates, and services. If a specific communication is made to a particular locality or group of people with a different language or dialect that the predominant language or dialect, then the former should be used,” the bill added.

Once signed into law, the implementation of the measure will be the responsibility of the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

“The CSC shall create a Section on Plain Writing, which shall develop and issue guidance or guidelines in implementing the requirements of this Act. The said Section shall be allowed to consult and partner with the relevant academic institutions and/or organizations in the development and issuance of relevant guidelines,” the bill said.

“The CSC shall, in consultation with other government offices and relevant organizations, issue the implementing rules and regulations to implement the provisions,” it added.

According to Vargas, the bill seeks to remove hard-to-understand jargon, which will be important for the easier understanding of essential advisories like those on disaster, and other barangay-level announcements.

The bill also provides a framework for language selection by locality and mandates training and capacity-building for government personnel to support effective implementation of the policy.

“This legislation is about removing language barriers in government transactions. When people understand the information they receive, they are more likely to trust, participate in, and benefit from government services,” Vargas said.

“A government that speaks the people’s language is a government that truly serves,” he added.

Vargas said the measure was first introduced by his brother, former Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas, during the 18th Congress./mcm