Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

H.B.No,__646

Introduced by HONORABLE JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The predicament of a the differently-abled in terms of fitting into a society all too often
preoccupied with personal matters has been brought to our attention only recently.

As the Fifteenth Congress begins its legislative task, there is a great need to push for
more programs and policies for the differently-abled in order to integrate this important sector
into the social, political, economic and cultural mainstream of our society.

This bill aims to provide free education for the differently-abled during their formative
years. Itis vital that the government takes the lead in providing this service for free because the
impoverished certainly do not have the means to pay for the specialized education of these
children.

By orienting these children at an early age, they shall learn to overcome their "handicap"
and thus consider themselves as no different and certainly no less capable than any other

member of the society.

The immediate enactment of this measure is earnestly sought.

a SOIT ACANGAA

Lone District, Province of Aurora



FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE +)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_)
First Regular Session )
c 646
H.B.No.__

Introduced by Honorable JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

AN ACT
PROVIDING FREE AND SUITABLE PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR
HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and to make
appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all. It shall promote non-formal,
informal, indigenous and out-of-school study programs particularly those that respond to the
needs of the community, and of the disabled and the handicapped. Towards this end, the State
shall provide free a suitable public education for differently-abled children under a special
education program with the end in view of ensuring their survival and advancement and making

them productive partners for national development.

SEC 2. It shall be the purposes of this Act to:

a) Establish a special education program that shall cater to the needs of the differently-
abled and the mentally and physically handicapped children.

b) Provide full financial and educational assistance to differently-abled children of the
country.

©) Help in the development and rehabilitation of differently-abled children through said
special education program

SEC 3. Definition of Terms. For the purpose of this Act, the following terms shall
mean:

a) a differently-abled child is one who has not yet reached the age of eighteen (18)

b) a suitable public education refers to a course, profession, skill or program prescribed
by the Department of Education to a differently-abled child taking into consideration
the child's aptitude handicap and talents,

SEC 4. A special education center shall, whenever possible, be established in the

Provincial, city and municipal levels for this purpose. Said special education center shall, as

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much as possible provide for elementary levels of education with maximum opportunities for
integration with non-handicapped peers.

SEC 5. The benefits that will be given to qualified differently-abled child shall include
tuition fees, textbook allowance, and ambulatory equipment or devices as may be necessary.
‘Special services such as note-takers and readers for the blind, sign interpreters for the deaf and
tutorial instruction shall also be offered.

SEC 6. A Special Education Development Fund is hereby established with an initial
capital of Fifty Million Pesos (P50,000,000.00) to be taken from the appropriations for the
Department of Education under the current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sum
as may be necessary for its continued operations and maintenance shall be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC 7. The Department of Education, in coordination with the Department of Social
Welfare and Development, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the
effective implementation of this Act.

SEC 8, Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations, which are contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, and
modified accordingly.

SEC 9. Separability Clause. If any part or provision of this Act shall be held to be
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC 10. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
English or Filipino in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation,
whichever comes first.

Approved,