Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda welcomes indigenous peoples to the “Eksibit ng mga Nanganganib na Wika” at the Senate building in Pasay City on Monday (April 29, 2024). The event promotes language preservation in collaboration with the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino. (Photos: Philippine News Agency)

MANILA, (PIA) -- The Senate of the Philippines is hosting the “Eksibit sa mga Nanganganib na Wika: Hátang Kayé at Inatá” (exhibit on critically endangered languages) after its successful launch on Monday, April 29, led by Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, who also chairs the Senate committee on culture and arts.

The exhibit, being presented by the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), led by Chairperson Arthur Casanova, highlights the endangered languages of the Remontado and Ata ethnic groups, known as "Hátang Kayé at Inatá," found in communities across the provinces of Quezon, Rizal, and Negros Occidental. The exhibit will run until May 10, 2024.

According to studies, these languages are among the 36 endangered languages that are at risk of dying out due to the dwindling number of speakers.

In her opening remarks, Legarda addressed the need to revive the Hatang Kaye and Inata languages.

She explained that the reason these languages are "critically endangered" is due to "language shift," where only the older indigenous community members still use them, and they are not being passed down to the younger generations.

Legarda urged government agencies, especially those focused on language, culture, and arts, to take action to prevent the extinction of indigenous languages.

"I continue to encourage government agencies and other entities to intensify programs and projects that will revitalize the languages and cultures of indigenous peoples. For the IPs, especially the leaders of the ICCs, you have a big role to play in reviving your language and maintaining your culture," the senator said.

"I believe in your capability to do this, and we will continue to support you. Let us work together to revive the endangered languages," she added. (PIA-NCR)