FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 
(61 S 
) 
) 
) 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The predicament of a the differently-a bled 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-a bled 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. It is 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. 
Senator 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 619 
) 
) 
) 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING 
FREE 
AND 
SUITABLE 
PUBLIC 
EDUCATION 
FOR 
HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
B8 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-a bled 
children of the country. 
c) Help in the development and rehabilitation of differently-abled children 
through said special education program. 
~EC. 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-a bled 
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 much as possible provide for elementary levels 
of education with maximum opportunities for integration with non-handicapped 
peers. 


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SEC. 5. The benefits that will be given to qualified differently-a bled 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,OOO,OOO.OO) 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. 
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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,