FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
, 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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S.No. SENAT% 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The State recognizes the importance of the disabled sector. For example, it provides 
sectoral representation for the disabled in the House of Representatives. The State also 
established the National Commission for Disabled Persons to insure that the rights of the 
handicapped are protected, and all programs and services are universal and accessible to all 
segments o f  society. 
Although modern technology has created devices to cater to the special needs of 
handicapped persons, they still need assistance with the communication facilities for hearing- 
impaired and speech-impaired. 
This bill seeks to make the national telecommunication system accessible to the hearing- 
impaired and speech-impaired.* 
* This bill was re-filed during the Thirteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
S. No. sENYf5 
2 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING HEARING-IMPAIRED AND SPEECH-IMPAIRED PERSONS ACCESS TO 
TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEMS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This act shall be known as the “Telecommunication 
Accessibility Enhancement Act of 2007.” 
SECTION 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. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Tevms . -For the purposes of this Act, the term: 
(A)“TDD” or Telecommunication Devices for 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 Communication. 
SECTION 4. National Telecommunications System Requirements. - 
(A) Accessibility of Telecommunications System. - The Department of Transportation and 
Communications and the effective government agencies shall issue the necessary rules and 
regulation 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- 
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(1) Provide for establishment of a relay for users of TDDs. 
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(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 modifications to the National telecommunication 
system that the secretary, in his 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); 
( 5 )  Assemble, publish and maintain a directory of TDDs and other devices used 
by National agencies to comply with such regulation, 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. 
SECTION 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 result of the analysis required by Section 3(B)(3) and technological improvements in 
telecommunications devices and systems that provide accessibility to hearing-impaired and 
speech-impaired individuals. 
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SETION 6. Inquiy Regarding Inter-Region TDD Relay System. - The Department of 
Transportation and communication within nine (9) months after the date of enactment of this act, 
complete inquiry regarding an interstate relay system for users of TDDs. 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If a provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law of provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid 
and subsisting. 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instmction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent 
with, the provision of this Act is herby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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