FOR the first time, the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino allowed out-of-school youth to join its competition for the selection of the country’s next language ambassador.

The 2021 iKabataan Ambasador sa Wika competition is for 18 to 25-year-old speakers of indigenous Philippine languages.

“iKAW is already open to young people attending and not attending school. Even those who stopped going to school for either a year or one semester can join provided they meet iKAW’s qualification requirements,” Dr. Jose Evie Duclay, KWF senior language researcher, said.

“KWF said it took into consideration the continuing Covid19 pandemic in deciding to open the competition to OSYs nationwide. However, it’s unclear if they will still be allowed in succeeding years while a wider age bracket is being considered,” Duclay added.

Aside from being an indigenous language speaker, contestants should have “impeccable character and adept in the Filipino language.”

Elders of an indigenous community can recommend candidates.

Applications will be accepted until July 9, 2021.

“An overview of the project the applicants want to undertake and the indigenous language spoken must be included. Any project about development, promotion, and preservation of an applicant’s language can be proposed,” Duclay added.

KWF said the winner will serve as the commission’s official language ambassador for one year.

Duties include implementing the proposed project, helping KWF develop information materials, and serving as a role model for language preservation.

“Our ambassador won’t receive any salary but KWF will pay for transportation, food, and accommodation if invited by the agency to attend its meetings and other activities,” Duclay said.

“The 2021 iKAW competition winner will also receive P100,000 to fund the project and a cash prize of P20,000,” he added.

The competition was launched in 2019 to mobilize the youth and raise awareness about protecting, preserving, and promoting indigenous Philippine languages.