Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. _____ 
Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
HON. EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING ALL MOVIES, VIDEOS, LIVE PERFORMANCES, MUSEUMS, 
TOURIST SPOTS AND THEME PARKS, EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS AND 
MULTIMEDIA PROJECTS HAVE AUDIO DESCRIPTION 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Disability is not an inability.  Visually impaired individuals need not be deprived of 
information nor put into disadvantage because of visual impairment. 
It is the policy of the State  to value the dignity of every human person and regulates the full 
respect for human rights. 
The Department of Health (DOH) reported an estimated visually impaired with issued Person 
With Disability (PWD) Identification Cards in the figure of 272,527 (January 2010-2022). 
This bill seeks to empower visually impaired individuals through the enactment of Philippine 
Audio Description Act. 
Audio description, also referred to as a video description, described video, or more precisely 
visual description, is a form of narration used to provide information surrounding key visual 
elements in a media work for the benefit of blind and visually impaired individuals. 
Audio description is a term used to describe the descriptive narration of key visual elements in 
a video or multimedia product. This process allows individuals who are blind to access content 
that is not otherwise accessible simply by listening to the audio. 
The purpose of audio description is to give people who are blind, low vision, deafblind and 
with other sensory impairment, senior citizens, persons within autism spectrum disorder, 
persons with learning difficulties and language learners a more complete picture of what is 
being shown, enabling them to appreciate the image, what is shown on the screen or related 
platforms.   
Having an audio description provides additional information on the visual media that is 
considered essential in understanding the content. When this isn’t provided, persons who are 
July 17, 2023
1:19 pm
8588


blind, low vision or with other sensory impairment are unable to understand and enjoy the 
media to its fullest potential. 
It is important to understand the content of a particular material in terms of accessibility and 
effectiveness so that we can provide equal access and opportunity for every human being. 
Under this legislation,  all franchise holders or operators of television programs are required 
to provide audio description options in the broadcast of their programs including newscast 
and news programs, pre-scripted programs, sports and state related events. 
Likewise, movie producers, live theater shows, video contents, tourist spots and theme parks 
shall also be required to provide audio description. 
Hence, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. _____ 
Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
HON. EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING ALL MOVIES, VIDEOS, LIVE PERFORMANCES, MUSEUMS, 
TOURIST SPOTS AND THEME PARKS, EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS AND 
MULTIMEDIA PROJECTS HAVE AUDIO DESCRIPTION 
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 “Philippine Audio Description Act.” 
     SECTION 2.  Requirements.   All franchise holders or operators of television programs 
are required to provide audio description options in the broadcast of their programs including 
newscast and news programs, pre-scripted programs, sports and state related events. 
Likewise, movie producers, live theater shows, video contents, tourist spots and theme parks 
shall also be required to provide audio description. 
As a reasonable accommodation for movie theaters: 
a. To have and maintain the equipment necessary to provide audio description at a
movie patron’s seat whenever showing a digital movie produced, distributed, or
otherwise made available with these features;
b. To ensure that theater staff are available to assist patrons with the equipment before,
during, and after the showing of a movie with these features.
 SECTION 3.  Definition of Terms.  As used in this Act: 
a. Audio description (also referred to as “description”, “video description or described
video”) is a term that is used to describe the process that consists of the adaptation
of video or multimedia content through descriptions of images including actions, 
settings, facial expressions, costumes, scene changes, surroundings and on-screen 
texts which are narrated during periods in which there is no dialogue and whose 
8588


sole purpose is to allow people who are unable to see the video adequately due to 
blindness, low vision, deaf blindness and other sensory impairments to enjoy any 
television, films, cultural shows or theatrical contents without barriers. 
Further, works in tandem with the audio of the video and it does not replace the 
video's original narration & soundtrack. 
b.  Accessibility. The practice of making information, activities, and/or environments 
sensible, meaningful, inclusive and usable for persons with blindness and visual 
impairments. 
c.  Accurate. There must be no errors in word selection, pronunciation, diction or 
enunciation. 
d.  Appropriate. Consider the intended audience, be objective and seek simplicity. 
e.  Prioritized. Content is essential to the intended learning and enjoyment outcomes is 
of primary importance. 
f.  Reasonable Accommodation. Modifications or adjustments that eliminate or 
minimize disability-related barriers to ensure equivalent access to video contents 
for all people. 
g. Universal Design.  Create products and environments that are free of barriers, 
accessible to everyone, by considering accessibility to be integral to the design 
process. benefitted not just the intended end users, but a much larger number of 
people (Story et al., 1998). Furthermore, integrating accessibility to the start of the 
design process was proven to result in more aesthetically pleasing outcomes at a 
lower cost and could be marketed to a greater percentage of the population.  
    SECTION 4. Purpose. The purpose of audio description is to give people who are blind, 
low vision, deafblind and with other sensory impairment a more complete picture of what is 
being shown, enabling them to appreciate the image, what is shown on the screen or related 
platforms.  Having an audio description provides additional information on the visual media 
that is considered essential in understanding the content. When this isn’t provided, persons 
who are blind, low vision or with other sensory impairment are unable to understand and 
enjoy the media to its fullest potential. 
    SECTION 5. Beneficiaries. Individuals exposed to the following conditions are 
considered beneficiaries under this Act: 
a. Blind and Low Vision 
b. Deaf -Blind 
c. Senior Citizens 
d. Persons within Autism spectrum disorder 
e. Persons with Learning Difficulties 
f. Language Learners  
 
 


    SECTION 6. Scope: The following establishments and platforms are included in this Act: 
a. Movies; 
b. Live theaters; 
c. Tourist spots; 
d. Museums; 
e. Television programs; 
f. Theme parks;   
g. Video learning materials; and  
h. Advertising videos. 
SECTION 7. Exemptions: The following are considered exempted under this Act: 
a. When compliance is economically burdensome; and 
b. Public service announcements shorter than 10 minutes. 
SECTION 8. Legal basis: The following jurisprudence govern the provisions of this Act: 
a. UNCRPD 
b. Marrakesh Treaty 
c. Magna Carta for the Disabled 
d. RA 10905 -  an act requiring all franchise holders or operators of television stations 
and producers of television programs to broadcast or present their programs with 
closed captions option, and for other purposes 
e. RA 10372 entitled 'An Act Amending Certain Provisions of Republic Act 
No. 8293, otherwise known as the "Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines", 
and for other purposes’ 
f. BP 344 proposed amendments An Act to Enhance the Mobility of Disabled Persons 
by Requiring Certain Buildings, Institutions, Establishments and Public Utilities to 
install Facilities and Other Devices 
g. WCAG 2.1 Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 
 
SECTION 9. Technical Standards: The following government agencies and related offices 
shall formulate the necessary technical standards that will govern this Act: 
a. 
DICT, MTRCB, KBP, TESDA, CHED, DEPED, PIA, NCCA, NLP to 
formulate standards in accordance with international standards in producing 
and showing materials with audio description. 
b. 
Web Content Accessibility Standards 
c. 
Other international standards in producing educational, information and 
entertainment materials with audio description. 
d. 
Technical specifications of equipment and technology for production and 
distribution of materials with audio description. 
SECTION 10.  Incentives. Tax incentives for producers. Tax credits designed to repay a 
percentage of qualifying production costs based on a pre-determined formula. 


SECTION 11. Penalties. Any franchise holder or operator of television stations and 
producer of television programs who shall violate the provisions of this Act shall be punished 
by a fine of not less than fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) but not more than one hundred 
thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or by imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not 
more than one (1) year, or both, at the discretion of the court. 
 
In case the offender is a corporation, partnership or association, or any other juridical person, 
the president, manager, administrator, or person-in-charge of the management of the business 
who knowingly and willfully voted or assented or acted with bad faith and gross negligence 
to the unlawful act punishable under this Act shall be liable therefor. In addition, the license 
or permit to operate its business shall be cancelled. 
SECTION 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Movie and Television Review and 
Classification Board, in consultation with the National Telecommunications Commission and 
other concerned agencies and entities, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations 
within one hundred twenty (120) days from the effectivity date of this Act, including 
guidelines and applications of exemption, system of warnings, penalties and appeals, and 
monitoring and compliance. 
SECTION 13. Review and Monitoring Committee. The following government agencies and 
related offices shall review and Monitor the implementation of the provisions of this Act: 
a. Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB); 
b. National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA); 
c. National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA); and  
d. Representatives from OPDs, NGOs, academe.  
SECTION 14. Functions of Review and Monitoring Committee. 
a. Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB). As having the 
mandate to review and classify movies, television programs, movies and publicity 
materials and to commit to deliver age-appropriate and value-based motion picture 
content to the viewers that have been effectively reviewed and classified. 
b. National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). Serves as the overall 
policymaking and coordinating body of all programs and plans related to the 
conservation, development, and promotion of Philippine arts and culture. 
c. National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) has a mandate to create policy 
on equalization of opportunities in the context of a rights-based society for 
persons with disabilities. 
d. Representatives from OPDs, NGOs, Academe.  They can be involved in 
promoting Audio Description and serve as the quality checkers of audio 
described video materials.     
 
SECTION 15. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules or regulations, other 
issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended 
accordingly. 


SECTION 16. Separability Clause.  If any provision of this Act is declared invalid, other parts 
or provisions hereof not affected thereby shall remain and continue to be in full force and effect. 
SECTION 17. Effectivity.  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the completion of 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,