THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC } 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
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' Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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The Constitution, Article XIV, Section 2 (1) provides: 
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The ~ State shall establish, maintain, and support a complete, 
adequate, d d  integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the 
people and society. 
Many childten with handicaps are in regular education classrooms due to lack of 
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special schools for hem. 
As children with special needs are mainstreamed, it is critical that these children 
are placed in the least restrictive environment appropriate to their needs and that their 
teachers in regular qlassrooms have an understanding of their special needs. 
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Hence, this bill seeks to establish a comprehensive training program for teachers 
of children with handicap. 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S.B.No. 
1588 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE TRAJNING PROGRAM FOR 
TEACHERS OF CHILDREN WITH HANDICAP 
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Be it enacted by Senute and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress ussembleh: 
SECTION 1. Short title. - This Act shall be known as the “Teachers of Children 
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with Handicaps Enhancement Act.” 
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SECTION 2. Program authorized. - The Secretary of Education is authorized to 
make grants in accdrdance with this Act to carry out activities and programs designed to 
increase the preparedness of mainstream classroom teachers, for the preparation of 
children with handicaps in such classrooms through training programs. 
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SECTION 3. Use offunds. - Funds provided pursuant to this Act shall be used to 
make grants to state universities which shall be required to put up special training 
program for teachers. The special programs shall consist of modules designed to increase 
the awareness of teachers of children with handicaps on the special nature of such 
children, with emphasis on their peculiar needs and to equip them with strategies on how 
to reach out to these children. 
SECTION 4. Special Program Curriculum. - The Secretary of Education, in 
coordination with the Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education, shall prescribe 
the special program curriculum to be offered in state universities offering training 


programs. 
The s ecial program curriculum shall include special courses on child 
psychology, teach 
e substance and teaching skills associated with handling of children 
with handicaps, develop special materials and methods, conduct pilot and demonstration 
projects, and involve participation of experts in child psychology in the provision of 
special activities designed to enhance the teaching skills of teachers of children with 
handicaps. 
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SECTION 5 .  Application required. - Each entity desiring a grant under this Act 
shall submit an application to the Secretary, ,at such time and in such manner 
accompanied by such information as the Secretary may reasonably require. 
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SECTION 6. Appropriations. - There shall be appropriated such sums as may be 
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necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provisions, or part hereof, is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision shall remain valid 
and subsisting. 
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SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, let er of instruction, administrative order, nile or regulations contrary to 
or inconsistent 
accordingly. 
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, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
SECTION 9. Effectivitj Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved. 
Fn 2096