FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S. B. No. 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORYNOTE 
The Constitution, Article XIV, Section 2 (1) provides: 
The State shall establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and 
integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people and society. 
Many children with handicaps are in regular education classrooms due to lack of special 
schools for them. 
As children with special needs are mainstreamed, it is critical that these children are 
placed in the least restrictive environment appropriate to their needs and that their teachers in 
regular classrooms have an understanding of their special needs. 
Hence, this bill seeks to establish a comprehensive training program for teachers of 
children with handicap.* 
* This bill was originally filed during the Thirteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR 
TEACHERS OF CHILDREN WITH HANDICAP 
Be it enacted by Senate and the House OfRepresentatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assent bled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Teachers of Children with 
Handicaps Enhancement Act.” 
SECTION 2. Program Authorized. - The Secretary of Education is authorized to make 
grants in accordance with this Act to carry out activities and programs designed to increase the 
preparedness of mainstream classroom teachers for the preparation of children with handicaps in 
such classrooms through training programs. 
SECTION 3. Use of Funds. - Funds provided pursuant to this Act shall be used to make 
grants to state universities which shall be required to put up special training program for teachers. 
The special programs shall consist of modules designed to increase the awareness of teachers of 
children with handicaps on the special nature of such children, with emphasis on their peculiar 
needs and to equip them with strategies on how to reach out to these children. 
SECTION 4. Special Program Curriculum. - The Secretary of Education, in coordination 
with the Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education, shall prescribe the special program 
curriculum to be offered in state universities offering training programs. The special program 
curriculum shall include special courses on child psychology, teach the substance and teaching 
skills associated with handling of children with handicaps, develop special materials and 
methods, conduct pilot and demonstration projects, and involve participation of experts in child 
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psychology in the provision of special activities designed to enhance the teaching skills o i  
teachers of children with handicaps. 
SECTION 5. Application Required. - Each entity desiring a grant under this Act shall 
submit an application to the Secretary, at such time and in such manner accompanied by such 
information as the Secretary may reasonably require. 
SECTION6. Appropriations. - There shall be appropriated such sums as may be 
necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provisions or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulations contrary to or inconsistent 
with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 9. Bflectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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