THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPn'iES 
) 
JUL 22 
First Regular Session 
1 
S.B. No. SENAT5457 I $\l,it:FIVED BY :.~ 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
8 9 3 7  
' L  
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Policies and Guidelines for Special Education, as contained in DECS Order 
No. 117, s. 1987, identified persons who have sensory impairment as special education 
clientele. This bill seeks to concretize the constitutional mandate which provides that the 
State shall "promqte the right of all citizens to quality education ... and to make such 
education accessible to all." 
It should be recognized that deaf-mute and blind children have different needs 
compared to their physically able peers which merit careful attention. The Congressional 
Commzion on education (EDCOM) in its report prepared in 1991-92 has revealed the 
inadequacy of programs and the poor acc.:ss to special education (SPED) brought about 
by the limited number of special schools and SPED center in the country. 
- 
.- . 
In light of the foregoing, this bill is relevant for it addresses the 
limited SPED facilities. This bill aims to establish Municipal Special 
for deaf-mute and blind children to ensure accessibility of the latter to 
every municipality. Early passage of this bill is therefore earnestly solicited. 


. 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
’04 
JUL zz r4cr:u 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
& 
r-- 
S.B. No. 
1457 
IiECENED 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
.
.
 . 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF MUNICIPAL SPECIAL EDUCATION 
FUNDS THEREFOR AND OTHER PURPOSES 
CENTERS FOR THE DEAF-MUTE AND BLIND CHILDREN APPROPRIATING 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House ofRepresentatives ofthe Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration ofpolicy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the state 
to establish, maintain and support Municipal Special Education Centers (herereafter 
“Centers”) for deaf-mute and blind children in consonance with the Constitutional 
mandate for “the State to take appropriate steps to make education accessible to all.” 
SECTlON 2. Municipal Special Education Centers; Creation and Purpose. - 
There shall be created in every municipality throughout the country Municipal Education 
Centers which shall assist the Department of Education in: 
- 
-- . 
-..- 
(1) Providing deaf-mute and blind children special quality education and related 
services as well as vocational and transitional services; and 
(2) Providing deaf-mute and blind children currently in school or who recently 
left school programs and service to assist them in the transition to independent living, 
vocational training, and competitive employment. 
I 
SECTION 3. Authority’ of the Secretary of Education, Culture and S ovts to 
1. 
Give Grunts to, or Enter into Cooperative Arrangements for the Cveatiop ox Municipal 
Special Education Centers. - The Secretray of Education, Culture and Sports is hereby 
authorized to give grants to, or enter into cooperative arrangement or contracts with 
public or private non-profit agencies, institutions, or organizations for the establishment 


or creation of, Municipal Special Education Centers for deaf-mute and blind children and 
youth;_Erovided, that .a grant made pursuant to this section may be made only for the 
following or similar programs: (a) technical assistance to Centers providing educational 
services to deaf-mute and blind children; (b) pre-service or in-service training of 
professionals or related services personnel preparing to serve or serving deaf-mute and 
blind children; (c) replication of successful innovative approaches to providing 
educational or related services to deaf-mute and blind children at risk of 
deaf-mute and blind; (f) consultative, counselling and training services for 
deaf-mute and blind children; and (g) familiarization of the municipality to 
center with the problems and potentialities of such children. 
SECTION 4. Provision for Continuing Research to IdentiSy Special Needs of 
Deaf-mute and Blind Children. - The Special Education Division of the Department of 
Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), by itself or in association with such organizations 
or institutions as are determined by the Secretary of the DECS to be appropriate, shall 
undertake continuing research to identify and design programs that meet the full range of 
special needs of deaf-mute and blind children; Provided, that such continuing research 
shall also be used to develop instructional techniques for use by the Centers that will 
improve deaf-mute and blind children's acquisition of the skills necessary for transition 
to independent living, vocational training, or competitive employment; Provided, finally 
that such continuing - research shall further be used to design physical education and 
therapeutic recreation program for use by the Centers to increase the potential of deaf- 
mute and blind children for community participation. 
.- - 
-- 
SECTION 5. 
Provision for Training of 
Personnel.- The Department of 
Education, Culture and Sports shall develop special education 
implementation by accredited institutions of higher education 
that such courses shall include subjects on (a) special 
.
.
 . 
education; (b) special education supervision and administration, and (c) special education 


I
’
 
~ 
t 
research; Provided, finally, that the Secretary of the DECS may make grants, which may 
include scholarships with necessary stipends and allowances, to institutions of higher 
education and/or universities which already offer such or similar courses. 
7- - 
ECTION 6. Annual report to the Secretary of Education; Examination of 
Numbers and Services and Revision of Numbers: Annual Report to Congress; Summary 
of Data, - (1) Centers established, created or supported under the Act as well as public or 
non-profit private agencies or organizations which are recipients of a grants shall report 
annually to the Secretary of the DECS on: (A) the number of recipients, by age, s verity, 
and nature of deaf-muteness and blindness; (B) the number of professionals an family 
members directly served by, or. serving in, each Center; and (C) the types of ervices 
provided; (2) The Secretary of the DECS shall examine the number of deaf-mute and 
blind children and youth so reported and, together with the Secretary of the Department 
of Health, shall create and annually revise a Deaf-Mute and Blind Children National 
Registry; and (3) The Secretary of the DECS shall summarize the date for submission in 
its annual report to the Congress. 
i 
SECTION I .  Dissemination of Materials and Information Concerning Working 
Practices with Deaf-mute and Blind Children. - The Secretary of the DECS, in 
collaboration with the Secretary of Health and Secretary of Labor and Employment, shall 
disseminate materials and information concerning effective practices in working with, 
baining, and educating deaf-mute and blind children. 
SECTION 8:-Deaf-mute and Blind Children De$ned. -For purposes of this Act, 
the term “deaf-mute and blind children” shall include the hearing, speech, and eyesight 
impaired children from birth to eighteen years of age. 
SECTION 9. Implementing Guidelines for the Establishment of Municipal 
Education Centers. - The Department of Education, Culture and Sports, in colla oration 
k 


with the Department of Health and the Department of Public Works and Highways, shall 
promulgate and issue the necessary implementing guidelines for the creation and 
operation of Municipal Special Education Centers within sixty (60) days after the 
effectivity of this Act. 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or provision not otherwise 
shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 10. Fundfor the Establishment andlnitial Operation of the Centers. - 
Such sums as may be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National 
Treasury. Thereafter, the sums necessary for the continuous operation of the Centers 
shall be included in the annual appropriations o f  the Department of Education, Culture 
and Sports 
- 
.- . 
- -  
affected 
.
.
 
SECTION 12. Repealing Clause - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to 
or inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION 13. &flectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved. 
FN: 290 
- 
.- 
- -