NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC)
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 1700
Senate
'DfflCt' of tljc fITtuip
23 JAN 18 P5 23
RECEIVED BY:vj
Introduced by: Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
"AN ACT PROVIDING ACCESSIBILITY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TO 
THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORTATION, INFORMATION AND 
COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY AND OTHER FACILITIES AND SERVICES 
OPEN OR PROVIDED TO THE PUBLIC AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE BATAS 
PAMBANSA BILANG 344 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ACCESSIBILITY LAW"
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Nearly everyone faces hardships and difficulties at one time or another. But for 
people with disabilities, barriers can be more frequent and have greater impact. The 
World Health Organization (WHO) describes barriers as being more than just physical 
obstacles. In the Philippines, persons with disabilities (PWDs) represent at least twelve 
percent (12%) of the adult population. They constantly face significant barriers in a 
physical environment that is not accessible, lack of relevant assistive technology, people 
stereotyping disability, services, systems and policies that are either nonexistent or that 
hinder the involvement of all people with a health condition in all areas of life. In addition, 
due to lack of support services, PWDs who require personal assistance have to rely on


their family members who in turn have to reduce their working hours or stop working 
altogether to provide such support.
Despite the existence of Batas Pambansa Big 344, also known as the Philippine 
Accessibility Law since 1983, very slow and little progress had been achieving because of 
poor compliance and implementation, especially by concerned government agencies. The 
BP 344 is being perceived to address only people with physical disabilities and not 
responsive to human rights-based approach to disability and development. However, 
owing to the evolving concept of disability, there is a strong clamor to amend this law 
and make it responsive to the needs of all persons with disabilities.
Article 9 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities states that "States 
Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure to persons with disabilities access, on 
an equal basis with others, to the physical environment, to transportation, to information 
and communications, including information and communications technologies and 
systems, and to other facilities and services open or provided to the public, both in urban 
and in rural areas. These measures, which shall include the identification and elimination 
of obstacles and barriers to accessibility, shall apply to the following:
a) Buildings, roads, transportation, and other indoor and outdoor facilities, including 
schools, housing, medical facilities and workplaces.
b) Information, communications, and other services, including electronic services and 
emergency services.
In addition. States Parties shall also take appropriate measures:
a) To develop, promulgate and monitor the implementation of minimum standards 
and guidelines for the accessibility of facilities and services open or provided to 
the public.


b) To ensure that private entities that offer facilities and services which are open or 
provided to the public take into account all aspects of accessibility for persons with 
disabilities.
c) To provide training for stakeholders on accessibility issues facing persons with 
disabilities.
d) To provide in buildings and other facilities open to the public signage in Braille and 
in easy to read and understand forms.
e) To provide forms of live assistance and intermediaries, including guides, readers 
and professional sign language interpreters, to facilitate accessibility to buildings 
and other facilities open to the public.
f) To promote other appropriate forms of assistance and support to persons with 
disabilities to ensure their access to information.
g) To promote access for persons with disabilities to new information and 
communications technologies and systems, including the Internet.
h) To promote the design, development, production and distribution of accessible 
information and communications technologies and systems at an early stage, so 
that these technologies and systems become accessible at minimum cost.
Likewise, the participation of persons with disabilities in the development of the 
implementing rules and regulations, and monitoring and evaluation of the proposed law 
are important factors to ensure progressive realization of an environment that will allow 
them to live independently in the community with accessibility and inclusiveness for all.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of
iseames
T. Tulfo


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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No. j[700
{©I ^eiifltr
of tl)f l^rrtTf.iij)
23 J^N 18 P5 23
received BY;
Introduced by: Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
"AN ACT PROVIDING ACCESSIBILITY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES 
TO THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORTATION, INFORMATION AND 
COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY AND OTHER FACILITIES AND SERVICES 
OPEN OR PROVIDED TO THE PUBLIC AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE 
BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 344 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
ACCESSIBILITY LAW "
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress Assembled
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Accessible Environment 
for All Persons with Disabilities Act"
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to adopt a universally 
design facilities and services open or provided to the public and the development of 
policies and plans promoting the universally design concepts in the implementation of 
actions and measures pertaining to accessibility of the physical environment for all 
persons.
Towards this end, the State shall facilitate the attainment of a barrier-free environment 
that will enable all persons to have access in public and private buildings for public 
use, establishments, and facilities. It shall exert efforts to remove all social, cultural, 
economic, environmental and attitudinal barriers that are prejudicial to persons with 
disabilities. Likewise, the State shall take appropriate measures for the integration of 
persons with disabilities into the mainstream of society.
Furthermore, the State shall take appropriate measures to ensure that persons with 
disabilities have access, on an equal basis with others, to the built environment, to 
transportation, to information and communications, including information and 
communication technologies and systems, and to other facilities and services open or 
provided to the public, both in urban and in rural areas.


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Sec. 3. Coverage. - This Act applies to all government and privately owned 
buildings for public use to include common areas in residential condominiums, 
buildings, roads, and other indoor and outdoor facilities, including schools, public 
libraries, housing, medical facilities, restaurants, theaters, parks, workplaces, to 
transportation, to information and communications, including information and 
communications technologies and systems, and to other facilities and services open 
or provided to the public, both in urban and in rural areas.
Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act
a) Accessibility refers to the infrastructure that enables persons with 
disabilities to live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life.
b) Accessible Environment refers to the infrastructure such as the built 
environment including Information and Communications Technology that 
enables persons with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in 
all aspects of life.
c) Barrier-Free Environment refers to the environment that is unhindered, 
without obstructions to enable persons with disability free passage or use of 
the facilities.
d) Built-environment refers to the structure. It is the part of the physical 
environment that is constructed by human activity. By one definition, the built 
environment consists of the following elements: land use patterns, the 
distribution across space of activities and the buildings that house them; the 
transportation system, the physical infrastructure of roads, sidewalk, bike 
paths, etc., as well as the service this system provides; and urban design, the 
arrangement and appearance of the physical elements in a community.
e) Accessible ICT practices refer to measures that remove access barriers 
that restrict business and social interactions between persons with disabilities 
and non-disabled individuals. They also refer to practices that remove age- 
related barriers to participation in society, and reduce language and literacy- 
related barriers in society. An example of accessible ICT practice is the use 
of descriptive text for images, Braille, large print, human-reader and 
augmentative and alternative formats. Accessible ICT practices apply to 
programs, products and services in various areas, such as education, 
employment, transportation, telecommunications, and other forms of 
infrastructure. For the web, accessible ICT practices include internationally 
accepted practices, such as the voluntary ISO accessibility practices in 
information technology and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Version 
2.0 of the World Wide Web Consortium, as well as the mandatory Joint


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Memorandum Circular 01 (series 2010) on Accessible Website Design 
Guidelines.
f) Fadiity/Service Users shall pertain to individuals using the facilities 
including information and communication systems of the public institutions 
and private establishments.
g) Persons with Disabilities refer to those who have long term physical, 
mental, intellectual or sensory impairments, which in interactions to various 
barriers may hinder their full and effective participation on an equal basis with 
others.
h) Providers refer to public institutions, private establishments and facilities 
providing programs and services open or provided to the public.
i) Sign Language Interpreter refers to a person trained in translating from 
a spoken to a signed language to facilitate communication between a deaf 
and a hearing person.
j) Transportation and Fadlities refer to land, road, rail, sea
and air transportation serving the general public, including facilities 
and other services for passengers with disabilities to complete their travel 
with ease and on an equal basis with others; (the use of facility users is to 
break the stigma that it is only for persons with disabilities.
k) Universal Design is the design of products, environments, programs and 
services to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without 
the need for adaptation or specialized design. "Universal design" shall include 
assistive devices for particular groups of persons with disabilities where this 
is needed.
l) Web Accessibility is the application of accessibility principle in the website 
such as providing for adjustment of font sizes, audio options and others to 
facilitate users' equal access to information and communication regardless of 
abilities and disabilities.
Sec. 5. Coverage. - This Act applies to all government and privately owned 
buildings for public use to include common areas in residential and commercial 
buildings, roads, and other indoor and outdoor facilities, including schools, public 
libraries, housing, medical facilities, restaurants, theaters, parks, workplaces, to 
transportation and transport terminals, including information and communications 
technologies and systems, and to other facilities and services open or provided to the 
public, both in urban and in rural areas.


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Sec. 6. Granting of Permit and Licenses To Build, Renovate and Operate 
Building Establishments and Public Transport to Ensure Accessibility. - In order to 
promote the realization of the rights of persons with disabilities to participate fully in 
the society and in the development of the societies in which they live and the 
enjoyment of the opportunities on an equal basis with others, the following shall be 
complied and fulfilled by all concerned individuals, government and private entities:
1. 
No license or permit shall be granted or issued, unless the owner or operator 
thereof shall include the installation and incorporation of accessibility features 
in the design and work plan for the construction, repair or renovation of public 
and private buildings for public use. The following shall include in securing 
permits and license to build the following, but not limited to, structures such 
as:
a. All educational institutions, especially public schools, state universities, 
training institutions accredited by TESDA, DEPED and Commission on
Higher Education, and other educational and training institutions.
b. All airports and terminals for buses, trains, ships and ferries and other 
forms of public transport.
c. recreation centers, sports complexes, gymnasia, public multipurpose 
halls, evacuation centers
d. shopping centers, public markets, and related establishments,
e. public parking places, parks, tourist destinations and accommodations, 
restaurants and
f. government offices, workplaces, action centers and all facilities that 
provide services to the public
g. hospitals, barangay health units, diagnostic centers, medical clinics, 
rehabilitation, and other facilities intended for the public
h. public utility vehicles such as (aircraft, buses, trains, public jeepneys and 
other local mode of transportation)
2. 
In all buildings, establishments, institutions and other facilities for 
construction or renovation, the following accessibility features shall be 
installed to enhance the mobility and safety of all persons with disabilities, 
such as, but not limited to:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Parking Space for vehicles conveying persons with disabilities using 
mobility devices or driven by drivers with disabilities 
Ramps with handrails 
Elevator
Directional Tactile leading to toilets, stairs, elevators, and other facilities 
Wheelchair Accessible toilets with grab bars (at least 2 cubicles in 
common toilets for male and female) with sink wash area accessible for 
wheelchair users and other types of disabilities 
Non-skid tiles on walkways and inside the toilets


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g. Entrance door in compliance with the agreed measurements
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h. Wheelchair accessible rooms for hotels and accommodation
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i. Audio warning signals
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j. Signages usable by people with all types of disabilities
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3. All operators of public transportation shall ensure availability of vehicles with
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accessibility features for people with all types of disabilities for their safety,
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ease of boarding and disembarkation.
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4. A 25 % discount in form of tax rebate, shall be granted on the first three
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years of registration for vehicles with accessibility features, such as buses,
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jeepneys, tricycles and other modes of transportation for the public provided
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that such features such as lift, ramps and safety belts are certified safe by
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the supplier.
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Sec. 7. Accessibility in Buiidings intended for public use. - All buildings as
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defined in the Building Code of the Philippines, sports and recreational facilities,
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including outdoor and indoor facilities provided or open to public shall be made
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accessible and safe to all facility users including children, older persons and persons
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with disabilities by providing ramps, tactile guides, priority lanes, accessible toilets,
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audio instructions, signages and other forms of communication in accessible formats
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to facilitate independent mobility in
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the facility;
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Universally designed products, features, and facilities shall be incorporated in the
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design and construction of all government and privately owned buildings for public
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use, transportation facilities, and all other public components of the built environment.
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Service providers whenever necessary shall make available forms of live assistance
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and intermediaries, including guides, readers and certified sign language interpreters,
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including service guide dogs to facilitate accessibility to buildings, transportation, and
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information communications and other facilities open to the public;
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Sec. 8. Accessibility to Transportation. - All land, (rail and road, including buses,
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jeepneys, tricycles, and trains), sea and air transport vehicles such as ships and
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airplanes and other common carriers open for public use shall have accessibility
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features and mechanisms as deemed necessary to facilitate safe boarding and
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disembarkation of persons with disabilities without discrimination of any form.
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All Service providers and operators of public transportation and implementing agencies
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are required to provide training to their personnel on assisting persons with disabilities
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in terminals during boarding and disembarkation.
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Sec. 9. Accessible Communication. - All government institutions and private
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establishments providing services to the public shall consider ICT accessible practices


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by making available accessible information and communications technologies including
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computers to facilitate accessible telecommunication and accessible broadcasting
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services to all persons with disabilities; It shall ensure compliance to as stipulated in
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Republic Act No. 10905 otherwise known as, "An Act Requiring All Franchise Holders
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or Operators of Television Stations and Producers of Television Programs to Broadcast
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or Present their Programs with Closed Captions Option, and For Other Purposes."
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The Department of Information, Communication Technology (DICT) should come-up
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with a research study on and development with appropriate agencies in ICT.
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All national and local government offices shall take into account accessibility for
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persons with disabilities in providing public information by making available
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information materials in accessible formats, providing sign language interpretation and
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ensuring website accessibility for all users. Compliance to Republic Act No. 11006 also
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known as the Filipino Sign Language Law shall be observed and included in monitoring
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and evaluation of this act.
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Service providers for telecommunication, broadcasting, information, computer and
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other information technology devices shall make efforts to take into account
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accessibility for persons with disabilities in providing services or manufacturing devices
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on the basis of
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usability;
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Information and communication technology devices, hardware and other components
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shall be designed appropriately for the ease of use of persons with disabilities;
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Sec. 10. Access Audit Teams. - The Department of Public Works and Highways
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(DPWH) through its Regional Offices shall lead the creation of Access Audit Teams in
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coordination with the LGU Provincial/ City government units to monitor the full
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implementation of the law. The Access Audit Teams shall include representatives from
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the Department of Transportation, Department of Information and Communications
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Technology, and persons with disabilities to participate in the assessment of
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accessibility of facilities.
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Sec. 11. Penalty Clause. - Any person violating any provision of this Act or of
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the rules and regulations shall suffer the following penalties:
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For the first violation, a fine of not less than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (PhP
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250,000.00) but not exceeding Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP 500,000.00) or
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imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more than two (2) years, or both
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at the discretion of the court;
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For any subsequent violation, a fine of not less than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos
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(PhP 500,000.00) but not exceeding One Million Pesos (PhP 1,000,000.00) or


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imprisonment for not less than two (2) years but not more than six (6) years, or
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both at the discretion of the court.
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Any person who abuses the privileges granted herein shall be punished with
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imprisonment of not less than six (6) months or a fine of not less than Five Thousand
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Pesos (PhP 5,000.00) but not more than Fifty Thousand Pesos (PhP 50,000.00), or
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both at the discretion of the court.
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If the violator is a corporation, organization or any similar entity, the officers including
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the building administrator and local government unit (LGU) building officials thereof
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directly involved shall be liable therefor.
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If the violator is an alien or a foreigner, he shall be deported immediately after service
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of sentence without further deportation proceedings.
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Sec. 12. Appropriations. - All government agencies shall include in their budget
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the amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Thereafter, such amount
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shall be included in the General Appropriations Act. The Department of Budget and
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Management (DBM), Commission on Audit (COA) and National Council on Disability
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Affairs (NCDA) shall monitor the implementation of this Act.
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Sec. 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Public
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Works and Highways (DPWH) in coordination with Department of Transportation
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(DOTr), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), with the
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Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Education
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(DepED) and National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), and Civil Society
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Organizations and Disabled People's Organizations (CSO/DPO) representatives shall
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promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of
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the provisions of this Act.
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Sec. 14. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
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remain valid and in effect.
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Sec. 15. Repeating Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or
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inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended
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accordingly.
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Sec. 16. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
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Approved,