FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
... 
Senate Bill No. _1_1_61 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Policies and Guidelines for Special Education, as contained in DECS Order 
No. 117, s. 1987, identified persons who have sensory impairment as special education 
clientele. This bill seeks to concretize the constitutional mandate which provides that 
the State shall "promote the right of all citizens to quality education ... and to make 
such education accessible to all." 
It should be recognized that deaf-mute and blind children have different needs 
compared to their physically able peers which merit careful attention. 
The 
Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM) in its report prepared in 1991-92 
has revealed the inadequacy of programs and the poor access to special education 
(SPED) brought about by the limited number of special schools and SPED center in the 
country. 
In light of the foregoing, this bill is relevant for it addresses the problem of limited 
SPED facilities. 
This bill aims to establish Municipal Special Education Centers for 
deaf-mute and blind children to ensure accessibility of the latter to such institutions in 
every municipality. Early passage of this bill is therefore earnestly solicited. 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE, 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No, 1161 
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INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
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AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF MUNICIPAL SPECIAL EDUCATION 
CENTERS FOR DEAF-MUTE AND BLIND CHILDREN APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in congress Assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to establish, maintain and support Municipal Special Education Centers (hereafter 
"Centers") for deaf-mute and blil'\d children in consonance with the Constitutional 
mandate for "the State [to] take appropriate steps to make education accessible to all." 
SECTION 2. 
Municipal Special Education Centers; Creation and Purpose. 
There shall be created in every municipality throughout the country Municipal Special 
Education Centers which shall assist the Department of DepEd in: 
(a) Providing deaf-mute and blind children special quality education and 
related services as well as vocational and transitional services; and 
(b) Providing deaf-mute and blind children currently in school or who recently left 
school programs and services to ,assist them in the transition to independent living, 
vocational training, and competitive employment. 
SECTION 3, Authority of the Secretary of Education to Give Grants to, or Enter 
into Cooperative Arrangements for the Creation of Municipal Special Education Center. 
The Secretary of DepEd is hereby authorized to give grants to, or enter into cooperative 
arrangements or contracts with public or private non-profit agencies, institutions, or 
organizations for the establishment or creation of Municipal Special Education Centers 
for deaf-mute and blind children and youth; Provided, that a grant made pursuant to this 
section may be made only for the following or similar programs; 
(a) Technical assistance to Centers providing educational services to deaf-mute 
and blind children; 
(b) Pre-service or in-service training of professionals or related services 
personnel preparing to serve or serving deaf-mute and blind children; 
(c) Replication of successful innovative approaches to providing educational or 
related services to deaf-mute and blind children; 
(d) Facilitation of parental involvement in the education of their deaf-mute and 
blind children; 


(e) Diagnosis and educational evaluation of deaf-mute and blind children at risk 
of being certified deaf-mute and blind; 
(f) Consultative, counseling and training services for the families of deaf-mute 
and blind children; and 
(g) Familiarization of the municipality to be served by a Center with the problems 
and potentialities of such children. 
SECTION 4. 
Provision for Continuing Research to Identify Special Needs of 
Deaf-Mute and Blind Children. The Special Education Division of the Department of 
Education (DepEd), by itself or in association with such organizations or institutions as 
are determined by the Secretary ofDepEd to be appropriate, shall undertake continuing 
research to identify and design programs that meet the full range of special needs of 
deaf-mute and blind children; Provided, that such continuing research shall also be 
used to develop instructional techniques for use by the Centers that will improve deaf-
mute and blind children's acquisitioh of the skills necessary for transition to independent 
living, vocational training, or competitive employment; Provided, finally, that such 
continuing research shall further be used to design physical education and therapeutic 
recreation program for use by the Centers to increase the potential of deaf-mute and 
blind children for community participation. 
SECTION 5. 
Provision for Training of Personnel. The OepEd shall develop 
special education courses for adoption and implementation by accredited institutions of 
higher education and universities; Provided, that such courses shall include subjects on 
(a) special education, and adaptive physical education; 
(b) special education 
supervision and administration; and (c) special education research; Provided, finally, 
that the Secretary of the DepEd may make grants, which may include scholarships with 
necessary stipends and allowances, to institutions of higher education and/or 
universities which already offer such or similar courses. 
SECTION 6. Annual Report to the Secretary of DepEd; Examination of Numbers 
and Services and Revision of Numbers; Annual Report to Congress; Summary of Data. 
(a) Centers established, created or supported under the Act as well as public or non-
profit private agencies or organizations which are recipients of a grant shall report 
annually to the Secretary of the· DepEd on (1) the number of recipients, by age, 
severity, and nature of deaf-muteness and blindness; (2) the number of professionals 
and family members directly served by, or serving in, each Center; and (3) the types of 
services provided; (b) The Secretary of the DepEd shall examine the number of deaf-
mute and blind children and youth so reported and, together with the Secretary of the 
Department of Health, shall create and annually revise a Deaf-Mute and Blind Children 
National Registry; and (c) The Secretary of the DepEd shall summarize the data for 
submission in its annual report to the Congress. 
SECTION 7. Dissemination of Materials and Information Concerning Working 
Practices with Deaf-Mute and Blind Children. 
The Secretary of the DepEd, in 
collaboration with the Secretary of Health and Secretary of Labor and Employment, 
shall disseminate materials and information concerning effective practices in working 
with, training, and educating deaf-mute and blind children. 
SECTION 8. Deaf-mute and Blind Children Defined. For purposes of this Act, 
the term "deaf-mute and blind children" shall include the hearing, speech, and eyesight 
impaired children from birth to eighteen years of age. 
SECTION 9. Implementing Guideline for the Establishment of Municipal Special 
Education Centers. The DepEd in collaboration with the Department of Health and the 
Department of Public Works and Highways, shall promulgate and issue the necessary 
implementing guidelines for the creation and operation of Municipal Special Education 
Centers within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act. 


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SECTION 10. Fund for the Establishment and Initial Operation of the Centers. 
Such sum as may be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the 
National Treasury. Thereafter, the sums necessary for the continuous operation of the 
Centers shall be included in the annual appropriations of the DepEd. 
SECTION 11. 
Separability Clause. 
If any provision, or part hereof, is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision shall remain valid 
and subsisting. 
SECTION 12. 
Repealing Clause. Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to 
or inconsistent with, the proVision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION 13. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,