SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES }
Second Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.
House Bill No® 949

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The State recognizes the importance of the disabled sector. For example, it
established the National Commission for Disabled Persons to ensure that the rights of the
handicapped are protected, and that all programs and services are universal and
accessible to all segments of society.

Although modem technology has created devices to cater to the special needs of
handicapped persons, they still need assistance with communication facilities for the
hearing-impaired and speech-impaired.

This proposed measure seeks to make the national telecommunication system
available to the hearing-impaired and speech-impaired

The early passage of this proposed measure is highly recommended.

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


‘SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Second Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No.

AN ACT
PROVIDING TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS ACCESSIBILITY TO THE
HEARING-IMPAIRED AND SPEECH-IMPAIRED

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 “Telecommunications
Accessibility Enhancement Act’.

SEC 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared as a policy of the State to provide
handicapped persons protection and assistance to hasten their integration into the
mainstream of society.

SEC 3. Definition. — For the purpose of this Act, the following terms shall have the
corresponding definitions
(1) "TDD" or Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf is a machine which
employs graphic communications in the transmission of coded signals
through the nationwide telecommunications system;
(2) “Secretary” refers to the Secretary of Transportation and Communications.

SEC 4. National Telecommunications Systems Requirements. —

(a) Accessibility of Telecommunication System - The Department of
Transportation and Communications (DOTC) shall issue the necessary
rules and regulations to assure that the national telecommunications
system is fully accessible to hearing-impaired and speech-impaired
individuals

(b) Specific Requirement — in carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall —
(1) provide for establishment of a relay system for users of TD's:

(2) within ninety (90) days after the enactment of this Act, expand such
relay system by employing at least one additional operator,
(3) within one hundred eighty (180) days after such date of enactment:
(a) conduct, as part of the rule-making proceeding required by
subsection (a), analysis of modifications to the National
Telecommunications System that the Secretary, in his
discretion, determines to be necessary to achieve the
‘objectives of subsection (a); and,
(b) submit report on the results of such analysis to each House
of Congress;
(4) within one hundred eighty (180) days after completion of such
analysis, prescribe the regulations required by subsection (a);

(6) assemble, publish and maintain a directory of TDD and other
devices used by national agencies to comply with such regulations,


and publish in national agency directories, access numbers of

TDDs and such other devices; and,

(6) adopt the design of a standard logo to signify the presence of a

TDD or other device used to comply with such regulations

SEC 5. Additional Requirements. —

(a) Support for Research — The Secretary shall seek to promote research
by government agencies and private entities to reduce the cost and
improve the capabilities of telecommunications devices and systems
that provide accessibility to hearing-impaired and speech-impaired
individuals.

(b) Planning to Assimilate Technological Development — The Secretary, in
planning future alterations to and modifications of the National
Telecommunications System, shall take into account results of the
analysis required by Section 4 (b) (3) and any technological
improvements in telecommunications devices and systems that
provide accessibility to hearing-impaired and speech-impaired
individuals.

SEC 6. Separability Clause. — Any portion or provision of this Act that may be declared
unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions and
provisions hereof as long as such remaining portion or provision can still subsist and be
given effect in their entirety.

‘SEC 7. 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

SEC 8. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at
least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,