The city government here started on Wednesday the installation of traffic signs along the city’s major roads in Kapampangan dialect.

The move is part of the city government’s efforts to preserve and revitalize the dialect while also maintaining the safety of the motorists and vehicles plying the areas.

In an official social media account post, Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. said at least 20 Kapampangan traffic signage were put around the McArthur Highway and Fil-Am Friendship Circumferential Road.

Some of the signages written in Kapampangan are “Báwal páparáda kéni” (no parking), “Báwal lúngub kéni” (do not enter), “Mamye dálan” (give way), “Báwal Íng búbusína” (no blowing of horn), “Báwal Íng lilípat kéni” (no crossing), “Báwal maglibutad ring motorsiklu, traysikel, e-bike, bisikleta” (motorcyles, tricycles, e-bikes, bicycles are not allowed in the innermost lanes), and “Báwal sálingku king kailî” or (no left turn).

The translated Kapampangan traffic signs are installed beside existing English signage by members of Angeles City Tourism Office in cooperation with Angeles City Traffic Development Office.

This move is the first-ever in the city, as well as in Pampanga province-wide, pursuant to a city ordinance establishing Kapampangan as an official dialect of Angeles City and institutionalizing its use in all sectors, alongside existing national and official languages.

Aside from this initiative to preserve, safeguard, revitalize and promote the use of Kapampangan here, Lazatin has also urged the City Council led by Vice Mayor Vicenta Vega-Cabigting last January 2021 to hold their session on the dialect at least once a month.

In February, the City Council started reinforcing the use of Kapampangan, sending out resolutions written in the Amanung Sisuan, or mother tongue.

Lazatin also instructed the 76 day care centers through a letter to use the dialect as the medium of instruction at least three hours per week once face-to-face classes resume.

Meanwhile, the Serbisyong May Puso news program of the city government of Angeles, airing now for a year, has been using the dialect as a medium in its on-camera reporting.

Lazatin also asked help from media entities such as television, radio, and print outlets, to raise awareness about the Amanung Sisuan to make sure that the next generation of Kapampangans can carry the city’s culture and language. (PNA)