FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
10 
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Senate Bill No. 709 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
. 
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 modern 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. 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 709 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
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) "TOO" 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 
~nd 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 
TOO'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 Telecommunication 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); 
(5) 
assemble, publish and maintain a directory of TOO 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 TOO 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 entities10 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 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. 7. Repealing Cla·use. - 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 


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SEC. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) new$papers of general circulation. 
Approved,