Republic sf the Hjlippines
House of Representatives
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS

Second Regular Session

Pre 3
House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY
REP. ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A FILIPINO SIGN LANGUAGE STUDIES PROGRAM

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Education and sign language are important elements in eliminating
barriers to inclusivity and setting the foundations for the integration of
persons who are deaf into mainstream society.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities recognizes and promotes the use of sign languages, and its equal
status to spoken languages. It obligates Member States, including the
Philippines, to facilitate the learning of sign language and promote the
linguistic identity of the deaf community. It also acknowledges that access
and services to sign language, including quality education in sign language,
is vital to the growth and development of the deaf individual and critical to
the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals.

Countries all around the world have begun introducing Sign Language
Education in their education system: the Chinese University of Hong Kong
has the leading programs in Hong Kong Sign Language Linguistics in their
Centre for Sign Linguistics and Deaf Studies; and the Ratchasuda College,
Mahidol University of Thailand has Bachelor of Arts Programme in Deaf
Studies for their very own Thai Sign Language.

In line with our commitment to creating an enabling environment for
persons with disability, on October 30, 2018, the Republic Act No. 11106 or
The Filipino Sign Language Act was signed into law by President Rodrigo
Duterte declaring the Filipino Sign Language as the national sign language of


the Filipino Deaf community. Another relevant development is the recent
approval of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on a one-year
project entitled “Program and Materials Development for Teaching Filipino
Sign Language for MTB-MLE in HEIs” that pioneers training of Deaf FSL
Specialists nationwide. However, more steps are to be taken in order to fully
realize the promises of social, cultural, and economic integration for the PWD
community, especially for Filipinos who are Deaf.

A logical step forward would be to create a Filipino Sign Language
Studies Program, an academic program to institutionalize the curricula,
outputs, and pedagogy to be gained from the one-year project of CHED, and
the framework established by the Filipino Sign Language Law.

Thus, this bill seeks to establish a Filipino Sign Language Studies
Program both in the undergraduate and post-graduate level in hopes of
promoting quality and accessible education for all Filipinos anchored on
social justice.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.

ALFRED V. ‘Ss


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Meteo Mila
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 715k

INTRODUCED BY
REP. ALFRED VARGAS.

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A FILIPINO SIGN LANGUAGE STUDIES PROGRAM

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Filipino Sign
Language Studies Program Act".

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall, in compliance with the
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,
Promote, protect, and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights
and fundamental freedoms of persons with disabilities. Thus, national and
local State agencies shall uphold respect for their inherent dignity, individual
autonomy, and independence by guaranteeing accessibility and eliminating
all forms of discrimination in all public interactions and transactions, thereby
ensuring their full and effective participation and inclusion in society. The
State shall also take all appropriate measures to ensure that the Filipino deaf
can exercise the right to expression and opinion and are included in civic
Participation. Accordingly, the State recognizes and promotes the use of sign
languages embodying the specific cultural and linguistic identity of the
Filipino deaf.

The State likewise recognizes the importance of both education and sign
language, particularly Filipino Sign Language (FSL), to eliminate barriers to
inclusivity and to lay the foundations for the integration of Filipinos who are
Deaf to mainstream society.

SECTION 3. FSL Studies Program - All state universities and colleges in the


country are mandated to offer college and post-graduate studies relating to
the field of Filipino Sign Language studies and its cultural society, and to offer
incentives to students who are enrolling in such studies.

SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -‘The Commission on
Higher Education, in collaboration with the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino
(KWF), the National Council on Disability Affairs, and concerned higher
education institutions, is mandated to formulate the rules and regulations
necessary to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not
affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

SECTION 6. Non-Impairment Clause.- Nothing in this Act shall be
construed as to diminish, impair, or repeal rights recognized, granted, or
made available to disadvantaged, marginalized, or specific sectors under
existing laws.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. ~ Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15)
days following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least

two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,