Republic of the Philippines 
 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
  Quezon City 
  NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
    Second Regular Session 
  House Bill No. 10077
___________________________________________________________________ 
 Introduced by CIBAC Party-list Representative 
    HON. EDUARDO “BRO EDDIE C. VILLANUEVA 
___________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
DECLARING FEBRUARY 6 OF EVERY YEAR AS PHILIPPINE PERSONS 
WITH DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS DAY 
The Republic of the Philippines recognizes that disabled persons have the right to 
special care, education, and training to help them enjoy full and decent lives in dignity 
and achieve the greatest degree of self-reliance and social integration possible 
consonant to (Art. 23, Paragraph 1The U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child). 
States Parties recognize that a mentally or physically disabled child should enjoy a full 
and decent life, in conditions which ensure dignity, promote self-reliance, and facilitate 
the child's active participation in the community. 
According to data from the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines Inc. 
(DSAPI), more than 100,000 Filipino households have a member with Down 
syndrome. In the Philippines, approximately 1 in every 800 babies born with Down 
syndrome and every four hours, a Filipino is born with Down syndrome in the country. 
Thus, persons with Down syndrome deserve the dignity and respect from 
everyone and need protection against abuse, violence, and public indifference. 
Raising children and caring persons with Down Syndrome may be tough, but when 
armed with the right knowledge, one will find a deep sense of fulfillment in taking care 
of the child. As such, for purposes of massive awareness on the condition of Persons 
with Down Syndrome they deserve respect and care in our society. 
Traditionally, the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines Inc. (DSAPI) an 
institution that provides recognition, care, education, and training for persons with 
down syndrome has been celebrating its anniversary on 6th day of February every year 
since then. Thus, this bill is institutionalizing February 6 every year as “PHILIPPINE 
PERSONS WITH DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS DAY”    
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. EDUARDO “BRO EDDIE C. VILLANUEVA 
March 11, 2024
8:00 am


Republic of the Philippines  
 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
 Quezon City 
 NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
 Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. 10077
_________________________________________________________________ 
 Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
     HON. EDUARDO “BRO EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 
_________________________________________________________________ 
     AN ACT 
DECLARING FEBRUARY 6 OF EVERY YEAR AS PHILIPPINE PERSONS 
WITH DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS DAY 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. It is the policy of the state to provide priority for the needs of 
the underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, women and children (Art. XIII, Section ii, 
Philippine Constitution); The Republic of the Philippines recognizes that disabled children 
have the right to special care, education and training to help them enjoy full and decent 
lives in dignity and achieve the greatest degree of self-reliance and social integration 
possible (Art. 23, Paragraph 1. The U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child); 
SECTION 2. Scientific and Medical Definition of Down Syndrome (DS): 
a). It is a genetic condition where a person is born with an extra copy of 
chromosome 21, causing delays in the way that a baby’s body and 
brain develop. The presence of an extra chromosome in one’s genes 
is known as trisomy, which is why Down Syndrome is also known as 
trisomy 21. 
     b). It is a chromosomal abnormality that results from the presence of a 
third copy of chromosome 21 and is the most common genetic chromosomal 
disorder worldwide. 
There are three distinct types of Down syndrome: trisomy 21 (resulting 
from nondisjunction), translocation, and mosaicism: 
Trisomy 21- This is characterized by a process called nondisjunction- where 
the two copies of chromosome 21 fail to separate during the formation of the 
egg or sperm. The result is that the cells formed after the egg and sperm 
unite have three separate copies of a chromosome instead of just two. 


Translocation Down Syndrome - This happens when the extra 
chromosome 21, which is supposed to be a separate copy, is attached, or 
translocated to another chromosome. There are no distinct cognitive or 
medical differences between people with translocation DS and trisomy 21. 
 
Mosaic Down Syndrome - In this case, some of the cells of the patient have 
three copies of chromosome 21, while other cells have the usual two. People 
with mosaic Down syndrome have fewer characteristics typically associated 
with the condition since not all cells have excess chromosome 21. 
 
 SECTION 2. Philippines Persons with Syndrome Consciousness 
Month— In 2002, former President and now House Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria 
Macapagal-Arroyo signed Proclamation 157 declaring the month of February as the 
National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month. 
 
The Sixth (6th) day of February every year is hereby declared as Philippines 
Persons with Down Syndrome Awareness Day in upholding the dignity and respect 
they deserve for persons with Down Syndrome preserving public consciousness and 
awareness to every Filipino. Hence, it is hereby declared that February 6 of every 
year as “PHILIPPINE PERSONS WITH DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS DAY.”  
 
The implementing agency shall formulate and issue the implementing rules 
and regulations necessary for the proper implementation of this Act. 
 
SECTION 3. Implementing agencies -. For this purpose, the Department of 
Health, the Department of Education, the Department of Social Welfare and 
Development, other related agencies and appropriate NGOs are enjoined to extend 
their utmost support and cooperation. 
 
SECTION 4. Separability Clause. — If any section or provision of this Act is 
held unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions not affected thereby 
shall remain valid and effective. 
 
SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations, or any part thereof, which are inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved.