Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILL No. 1515

INTRODUCED BY HON. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This measure seeks to make our country's national telecommunication
system accessible to the hearing-impaired and speech-impaired.

The State categorically recognizes the importance of the persons with
disabilities (PWDs) sector. For instance, the Constitution provides sectoral
representation for the disabled in the House of Representatives. Likewise, the
State established the National Commission for Disabled Persons to guarantee
that the rights of the handicapped are protected, and all programs and services
of the government are universally accessible to all segments of society.

Although recent technology already incorporates and considers the need
of handicapped persons when creating products, communication facilities in the
Philippines remain inadequate for the hearing-impaired and speech-impaired

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is hereby sought.

Lot, To

RCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO
Representative
1" District, City of Marikina


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

ie
House sit no,_ 1515

INTRODUCED BY HON. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

AN ACT
PROVIDING HEARING-IMPAIRED AND SPEECH-IMPAIRED PERSONS
ACCESS TO THE TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM

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 “Telecommunication
Accessibility Enhancement Act of 2013.”

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

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the term:

‘A) “TDD” or Telecommunication Devises for the Deaf means a machine

which employs graphic communications in the transmission of coded
signals through the nationwide telecommunication system

B) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Transportation and Communications.

SEC. 4. National Telecommunications System Requirements. —

(A) Accessibility of the telecommunications system. ~ The Department of
Transportation and Communications and the effective government agencies shall
issue the necessary rules and regulations to assure that the national
telecommunication system is fully accessible to hearing-impaired and speech-
impaired individuals.

(B) Specific requirements. — In carrying out paragraph (A), the Secretary shall:
1) Provide for the establishment of a relay for users of TDDs.

2) Within ninety (90) days after the date of 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 paragraph
(A), an analysis of modification to the national telecommunication
system that the Secretary, in his/her discretions, determines to be
necessary to achieve the objectives of paragraph (A); and


(b) Submit report on the result of such analysis to each House of the
Congress.

4

Within one hundred eighty (180) days after completion of such analysis,
prescribe the regulations required by paragraph (A);

‘Assemble, publish and maintain a directory of TDDs 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 by a national government agency 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 telecommunication 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 the result of the analysis
required by Section 3 (B) 3 and technological improvements in the
telecommunications devices and systems that provide accessibility to hearing-
impaired and speech-impaired individuals.

SEC. 6. Inquiry Regarding Inter-Region TDD Relay System. ~ The
Department of Transportation and Communications within nine (9) months after
the date of enactment of this Act, complete inquiry regarding an inter-state relay
system for users of TDDs.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - If any provisions or part hereof, is declared
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsisting,

SEC. 8. 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. 9. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved