UP CEDEV welcomes multilingual education advocates Talaytayan

04 Sep 2026

The University of the Philippines Center for Education and Development (UP CEDEV) met with leaders of 170+ Talaytayan MLE Inc., a non-profit organization advocating for mother tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE), on 04 September 2026 to explore potential areas of collaboration regarding the promotion of indigenous languages.

Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs Ian Kendrich Fontanilla (leftmost) met with multilingual education advocates from 170+ Talaytayan MLE Inc. From second from left: Liza Martinez, Convenor of the Filipino Sign Language National Network; and leaders of Talaytayan Francisco Datar; Tony Igcalinos, President; Gregorio E.H. del Pilar; and Ricardo Ma. Nolasco.

Talaytayan president Tony Igcalinos situated the organization’s work within the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL) 2022-2032, declared by the United Nations and led by UNESCO, which calls for urgent global action to document, protect, revitalize, and promote indigenous languages. Dr. Igcalinos noted that national efforts were few and scattered in the Decade’s first years, with no clear, organized direction despite alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He added that IDIL is not included in priority activities in local and national initiatives.

Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs Ian Fontanilla expressed the Center’s interest in supporting Talaytayan’s activities, including its proposed midterm assessment of the localization of IDIL in the Philippines.

The project’s expected results include a national assessment report, regional case studies, policy briefs, and multi-stakeholder workshops. Dr. Igcalinos envisioned the project to enhance national and local capacity to design evidence-based policies and programs supporting indigenous language communities across the Philippines.
 
Written by John Peter Himor

UP CEDEV welcomes multilingual education advocates Talaytayan

The University of the Philippines Center for Education and Development (UP CEDEV) met with leaders of 170+ Talaytayan MLE Inc., a non-profit organization advocating for mother tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE), on 04 September 2026 to explore potential areas of collaboration regarding the promotion of indigenous languages.

Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs Ian Kendrich Fontanilla (leftmost) met with multilingual education advocates from 170+ Talaytayan MLE Inc. From second from left: Liza Martinez, Convenor of the Filipino Sign Language National Network; and leaders of Talaytayan Francisco Datar; Tony Igcalinos, President; Gregorio E.H. del Pilar; and Ricardo Ma. Nolasco.

Talaytayan president Tony Igcalinos situated the organization’s work within the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL) 2022-2032, declared by the United Nations and led by UNESCO, which calls for urgent global action to document, protect, revitalize, and promote indigenous languages. Dr. Igcalinos noted that national efforts were few and scattered in the Decade’s first years, with no clear, organized direction despite alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He added that IDIL is not included in priority activities in local and national initiatives.

Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs Ian Fontanilla expressed the Center’s interest in supporting Talaytayan’s activities, including its proposed midterm assessment of the localization of IDIL in the Philippines.

The project’s expected results include a national assessment report, regional case studies, policy briefs, and multi-stakeholder workshops. Dr. Igcalinos envisioned the project to enhance national and local capacity to design evidence-based policies and programs supporting indigenous language communities across the Philippines.
 
Written by John Peter Himor