Here in the country, a mixture of more than 100+ languages and dialects can be heard. We have people living in Mindanao, Visayas, and other parts of the country that aren’t used to the standard of regular English and Filipino.
Apparently, this is seen as a problem by many driver’s license applicants – they seem to be having trouble in terms of comprehending the written exam; this causes their failure of passing the exam.
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This is why the Department of Transportation (DOTr) made an order to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to make sure that easier driver’s license examination is done by preparing the examination in Tagalog (Filipino Language), English, and other languages.
Arthur Tugade, the Secretary of the DOTr said that the examination should not be limited to just the two (2) languages that are widespread. There should also be a translation of it to other languages.
The written examination for the driver’s license should not be limited to two languages — English and Filipino. What if they will conduct the test in Visayas and in Mindanao, and those poor countrymen of mine cannot understand Tagalog and cannot fully understand English?”
A chance for easier driver’s license examination procedures
It’s no question that thousands, if not millions of people find the driver’s license examination challenging. Most of our countrymen are only accustomed to using the language they grew up with – and a wide majority of these people are not used to speaking and writing Tagalog; which is known to be the official language of the Philippines.
Read: The Land Transportation Office (LTO) Released Partial License Plates from 2016
According to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NTCCA), the following languages are listed to be part of the most dominant languages in the entire country – so, they’ll be the ones that’ll take on the majority of the changes:
- Bicolano
- Cebuano
- Ilocano
- Hiligaynon
- Pampango
- Pangasinan
- Tagalog
When will this take effect?
In no time, we can all expect to have and take an easier driver’s license examination wherever we are in the country. LTO Regional Directors were instructed to provide an accurate translation of the driver’s license examination in their local languages respectively.
Read: GUIDE: LTO Driver’s License Exam Reviewer in Tagalog
This should be done no longer than thirty (30) days from the date of effectivity of the department; this order was issued on the 14th of February 2020.
On regular standard, the order will be taking effect fifteen (15) days after the official publication in a newspaper of general and regular circulation or in the Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines.
Aside from its benefit of giving us an easier driver’s license examination, the order also says that it can stretch and make itself comprehensible to the people all over the country. It continues to say that it’s for the effectiveness of the enforcement of land transportation laws in the country.
In a statement, Tugade said that Congressman Mayo requested to give an easier driver’s license examination to people by translating it to different languages.
Read: How Can You Verify a Plate Number Through the LTO?
Sa isang pulong, hiningi ni Cong. Mayo na isalin sa iba’t-ibang lengguwahe ang examination questions. Napakagandang suhestyon niyan kaya bakit hindi natin tatanggapin at ipatutupad?”
In Translation: In one meeting, Congressman Mayo expressed his request to translate the examination questions in different common languages in the country. It is a good suggestion – so why not implement it?
Currently in the process of doing it
Most of the people in office loved the idea and in fact, they’re already in the process of doing it. Egar Galvante, LTO Assistant Secretary said that their agency is already in the works of translating the exam questions.
Read: The Land Transportation Office (LTO) Released the New Guidelines in Getting a Driver’s License
We have already created a team for each of the major dialects. The assigned team will translate the driver’s license examination. The translation will be checked by experts of the language to ensure that the terms are accurate and official.”
So we shouldn’t worry about how long it’ll take regional offices to adapt to the change that the LTO is looking for. It’s here – and it’s already happening!
If you’re kind of wondering why this is so, this change is actually somehow connected to Article 14, Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution as it says:
Read: Did You Know: 17-Year-Olds Are Allowed to Get Non-Professional Driver’s License
For purposes of communication and instruction, the official dialect of the Philippines are Filipino and, until otherwise provided by law, English. The regional dialect are the auxiliary official dialect in the regions and shall serve as auxiliary media of instruction therein.”
Would you believe that having the examination questions be translated in different Filipino languages produce an easier driver’s license examination for the applicants?
Source/s: Top Gear PH | The Philippine Star