RECEIVCD
pare-1 7 AUG 2016
TNE: Worry

BY: ph

REQISTRATION UNIT
BILLS AND 'NCT X S"RVICE

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE!
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 3027

Introduced by BAYAN MUNA Rep. CARLOS ISAGANI ZARATE

AN ACT
REQUIRING THE USE OF FILIPINO SIGN LANGUAGE INSETS FOR LOCAL
NEWS PROGRAMS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 22 OF
REPUBLIC ACT 7277, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “MAGNA
CARTA FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (PWDs)”

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Originally filed by the Bayan Muna Partylist the during the previous Congresses, this Bill
intends to promote the welfare of persons with disabilities through the mandatory inclusion of
sign language interpreters in television programs. The State affirms and mandates the
rehabilitation, self-development and integration of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) into
mainstream society through Republic Act No. 7277 or the Magna Carta for Persons with
Disabilities. Through the said law, television stations are encouraged to use subtitles or sign-
language interpreters in their news programs. However, at present, only a small number of
the major news programs are regularly using subtitles or sign-language insets. On the other
hand, a couple of regional stations have been utilizing sign language insets with the help of
non-government organizations.

With around a million PWDs, including those who are deaf, there is a long-standing yet
unheeded call to use sign language in television programs. Without these aids, deaf
individuals are deprived of timely and relevant information that broadcast news provides.

While Republic Act 10905 (which lapsed into law on July 22, 2016), provides for the
insertion of mandatory subtitles in broadcasted programs, it should also be considered that
less than five percent (5%) of the reported 120,000 hearing-impaired are literate or have
received any form of schooling, according to the Philippine Deaf Resource Center. This is
why Filipino sign language is preferred over captions or subtitles.

The proposed bill aims to make broadcast media more accessible to the deaf community. It
hopes to pave the way for other sign-language interpreted programs in the future.

Approved,

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CARLO! oe

Bayan Muna Party-list

HUUSE IF R PRCSENTATIVES:



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL Nod 02 ?

Introduced by BAYAN MUNA Rep. CARLOS ISAGANI ZARATE

AN ACT
REQUIRING THE USE OF FILIPINO SIGN LANGUAGE INSETS FOR LOCAL
NEWS PROGRAMS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 22 OF
REPUBLIC ACT 7277, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “MAGNA
CARTA FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (PWDs)”

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 “Filipino Sign Language Insets
for News Programs Act of 2013.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the Government’s concern and responsibility to
make telecommunications and mass media available to persons with disabilities for their
rehabilitation, self-development and self-reliance as provided by Republic Act No. 7277 or
the “Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities” and the Philippine Constitution which
upholds the right to information.

SECTION 3. Section 22 of Republic Act No. 7277, as amended, otherwise known as the
“Magna Carta for Person with Disabilities (PWDs),” is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Sec. 22 Broadcast Media ~ ALL FREE-TO-AIR television stations
[shall be encouraged] ARE REQUIRED to provide [a sign-language
inset] FILIPINO SIGN LANGUAGE INSETS, AND WHERE
POSSIBLE, CLOSED CAPTIONS OR subtitles in at least TWO (2)
newscast programs a day and special programs covering events of
national significance.

“THE FREE-TO-AIR TELEVISION STATIONS MAY LIKEWISE
OPT TO PROVIDE FOR FILIPINO SIGN LANGUAGE INSETS IN
OTHER PROGRAMS SUCH AS THOSE PERTAINING TO
CULTURAL AFFAIRS, LIVELIHOOD AND THOSE CATERING
TO CHILDREN.”

SECTION 4. Constitutionality. ~ Should any provision of this Act be declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the validity or constitutionality of the other provisions shall not be affected
thereby.



SECTION 5. Repealing Clause, — All laws, decrees, letters of instructions, resolutions,
orders, ordinances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are
hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. Efectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,