SAN FRANCISCO—According to a press release from San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee’s website, on April 2, Mayor Lee, along with Board of Supervisors President David Chiu, Supervisors John Avalos and Jane Kim, in addition to local community partners announced the certification of Filipino (Tagalog), the most used spoken Filipino language in the Bay Area and the official language of the Philippines, as a third required language, as well as Chinese and Spanish under the City’s Language Access Ordinance.
“San Francisco is a model for the nation in welcoming immigrants and empowering communities, and we are committed to doing even better on behalf of our immigrant populations,” said Mayor Lee. “With today’s action, we are ensuring that the more than 10,000 Tagalog speaking City residents who are limited English speakers have access to the same information and programs as every other San Franciscans, so that they too can share in the success of our City.”
The SF Language Access Ordinance was started in 2001 and is one of the most comprehensive local language laws in the country. It requires city departments that interact with the public to provide translated materials, interpreters at public meetings and other services. Several City Departments are already offering services in Tagalog to meet state and federal guidelines. The Ordinance implements a stronger grasp and provision of multilingual services.
“The Filipino community in San Francisco is an important partner who has helped make our City successful,” said Board President Chiu, author of major amendments to the Language Access Ordinance made in 2009. “This certification is an affirmation of the hard work and contributions of all our language communities and another proud moment for the San Francisco family.”
Nearly 112 different languages are spoken throughout the city of San Francisco, and more than 45 percent of all SF residents do not speak English at home. With the city certifying Filipino (Tagalog) as a third language, the City’s Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs (OCEIA) has determined that nearly 10,000 Tagalog speakers in San Francisco are limited in proficiency in the English language.
“This is a great achievement in language access,” said Grace Lee, Policy Director for Chinese for Affirmative Action and Coordinator of the San Francisco Language Access Network, a coalition of nonprofit providers serving immigrant and monolingual communities. “We are proud to continue the work started five years ago with our community partners, OCEIA, the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors.”
The new requirements will be implemented into the OCEIA over the next 18 months beginning on July, with input given from the Language Access Network, and other community and city partners. The Language Access Ordinance will ensure that the City communicates with all residents as a part of its daily business, particularly in time of crisis, emergency and public safety concerns.
“Mabuhay! At the Filipino Community Centerand throughout the City, we are so proud that Filipino will become the third certified language in San Francisco, together with Chinese and Spanish,” said Filipino Community Center Organizational Director Terrence Valen. “Filipino residents feel that being able to communicate in their native tongue opens up the whole world to them and their families, from accessing basic services to contributing to their communities and the diversity of San Francisco. It is a long-overdue recognition of the near century-long presence and continuing concentration of Filipinos in San Francisco.”
To learn additional information about the San Francisco Language Access Ordinance and the Office of Civic Engagement & Immigrant Affairs visit www.sfgov.org/OCEIA.
By LaDale Anderson
