FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 3363 
Introduced by Senator Manny B. Villar 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The first Automatic or Automated Teller Machine, or most commonly known as 
an ATM was said to be installed in the Kingsdale Shopping Center in Upper Arlington, 
Ohio in 1959. In simultaneous and independent efforts, engineers in Japan, Sweden, 
and Britain developed their own cash machines during the early 1960s. 1 
With the introduction of ATMs in the Philippines in the 1980s, the concept of 
electronic banking was bom. According to a World Bank report published in 2012, 
ATMs per 100,000 adults in the Philippines is placed at 14.88 in 2010. 
While ATMs in the country currently have Braille dots on the keypad, they do not 
provide any non-visual method for reading or relaying the messages that appear on the 
screen, making it difficult for visually impaired people to use them. 
In order to promote assistive technology for the blind/visually impaired, the 
immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
1 http://en.wlklpedia.org/wlklj Automated_teller _ machme 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
3363 
S.B. No. ___ _ 
Introduced by SENATOR MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
;'i' 
MJ\KING AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINES ACCESSIBLE TO THE VISUALLY-
IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled. 
SECTION 1. Title. -This Act shall be known as the "ATM Visually-Impaired 
Friendly Act". 
SECTION 2. Definition of Terms.- The following terms shall have the following 
meanings/interpretations: 
(a) 
BANKING INSTITUTION - shall mean a network of commercial, savings, and 
specialized banks that provide financial services, including accepting deposits 
and providing loans and credit, money transmission and investment facilities. 
(b) 
VISUAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM -
shall mean the graphic display of 
information by an automated teller machine. 
(c) 
AUDIO TRANSMISSION SYSTEM - shall mean a system that recites with sonic 
clarity through a personal listening device substantially the same information that 
is conveyed by a visual transmission system. 
(d) 
PERSONAL LISTENING DEVICE - shall mean earphones or other similar 
receiver designed to transmit audio information to an individual, which receiver is 
placed in the individual's ear or held up to the ear such that only that individual 
can hear such audio information. 
SECTION 3. Automated Teller Machine Requirements. -
Every banking 
institution shall maintain the following requirements with respect to each of the 
automated teller machines within its dominion and control to provide equal access for all 
individuals: 
(a) 
Any automated teller machine installed on or after the effectivity date of this Act 
shall transmit any message through both (i) a visual transmission system, and (ii) 
an audio transmission system. 
(b) 
Any automated teller machine installed prior to the effective date of this Act shall, 
whenever an upgrade or replacement of such automated teller machine becomes 
necessary, be upgraded or replaced in such a manner so that such automated 


teller machine shall transmit any message through both (i) a visual transmission 
system, and (ii) an audio transmission system. 
SECTION 4. Separability Clause. -
If any provision or part thereof, is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, 
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION 6. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its complete publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved, 
2