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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Reps.  Alfelito “Alfel” M. Bascug, Ysabel Maria J. Zamora and Laarni 
Lavin Roque 
AN ACT 
DECLARING THE LAST FULL WEEK OF SEPTEMBER OF EVERY YEAR AS 
THE “NATIONAL WEEK OF THE DEAF” AND SEPTEMBER 23 AS “FILIPINO 
SIGN LANGUAGE DAY” 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The proposed measure seeks to formally recognize the cultural and linguistic identity 
of the Filipino Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community by declaring the last full week of 
September as the National Week of the Deaf and September 23 as Filipino Sign Language 
(FSL) Day. This legislative initiative affirms the State's obligation to promote, protect, and 
fulfill the rights of all persons with disabilities—particularly Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing 
Filipinos—by fostering awareness, acceptance, and inclusion in all aspects of public life. 
In line with the Philippines’ commitments under the United Nations Convention on the 
Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), to which the country is a State Party, this bill 
promotes a rights-based approach to disability. It recognizes that Deaf and/or Hard-of-Hearing 
persons are not merely individuals with hearing loss, but members of a distinct cultural and 
linguistic minority whose primary mode of communication is sign language. 
Filipino Sign Language (FSL), as officially recognized under Republic Act No. 11106 
or the “Filipino Sign Language Act,” is the natural visual language of the Filipino Deaf 
community. It is a vital expression of identity, culture, and heritage. Beyond its functional role 
as a medium of communication, FSL symbolizes the Deaf community’s right to self-
determination, equality, and inclusion. 
By institutionalizing a National Week of the Deaf and Filipino Sign Language Day, this 
measure seeks to deepen public understanding of the Deaf culture and promote positive societal 
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attitudes. It provides a national platform for advocacy, education, and celebration of the 
contributions of Deaf Filipinos in various fields—from the arts, education, and media to 
governance and community development. 
Moreover, the bill mandates the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, in partnership with 
relevant government agencies such as the Department of Education, Commission on Human 
Rights, National Council on Disability Affairs, and others, to formulate rules, campaigns, and 
guidelines to ensure effective implementation. These efforts are essential to mainstreaming the 
use of FSL in schools, media, government services, and workplaces, and to dismantling 
systemic barriers that prevent Deaf persons from fully enjoying their human rights. 
This measure does not create new privileges but rather strengthens the full recognition 
of rights already enshrined in existing laws, including the Magna Carta for Persons with 
Disabilities (RA 7277), the FSL Act (RA 11106), and various national and international 
commitments. 
In recognizing Deaf identity and Filipino Sign Language through national observances, 
we move closer to building a society that values diversity, fosters equity, and guarantees that 
no Filipino is left behind. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
REP. ALFELITO “ALFEL” M. BASCUG 
REP. YSABEL MARIA J. ZAMORA 
      Agusan Del Sur, First (1st) District 
         San Juan City, Lone District 
REP. LAARNI LAVIN ROQUE 
Bukidnon, Fourth (4th) District 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. __________ 
________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Reps.  Alfelito “Alfel” M. Bascug, Ysabel Maria J. Zamora and Laarni 
Lavin Roque 
AN ACT 
DECLARING THE LAST FULL WEEK OF SEPTEMBER OF EVERY YEAR AS 
THE “NATIONAL WEEK OF THE DEAF” AND SEPTEMBER 23 AS “FILIPINO 
SIGN LANGUAGE DAY” 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. The State, in adherence to the United Nations Convention on the 
Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRDP), shall promote, protect, and ensure the full 
and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by persons with 
disabilities, including Deaf and/or Hard-of-Hearing persons, and shall respect their inherent 
dignity, individual autonomy, and independence. 
The State shall uphold the right of Deaf and/or Hard-of-Hearing persons to full 
accessibility and inclusion, eliminating all forms of discrimination in public and private 
spheres. The State recognizes that Deaf and/or Hard-of-Hearing persons are a cultural and 
linguistic minority and therefore affirms their right to freedom of expression, including the 
right to use and access sign language in all domains of life. 
Accordingly, the State acknowledges and promotes the use of Filipino Sign Language 
as the natural language of the Filipino Deaf and/or Hard-of-Hearing community, embodying 
their unique cultural and linguistic identity. 
The State also recognizes the importance of promoting awareness of the rights of and 
sign language as essential to eliminating barriers, ensuring inclusivity, and fostering the full 
participation of Deaf and/or Hard-of-Hearing Filipinos in all aspects of life. 
SEC. 2. The last full week of September of every year is hereby declared as the 
National Week of the Deaf and/or Hard-of-Hearing, to promote public awareness, 
understanding, and respect for the rights, identity, and contributions of Deaf persons in 
Philippine society. 
SEC.  3. September twenty-three (23) of every year is hereby declared as Filipino Sign 
Language Day, to promote the recognition, acceptance, and continued development of 
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Filipino Sign Language as a visual language of the Filipino Deaf and/or Hard-of-Hearing 
community, and as a symbol of their right to inclusion, equality, and cultural identity. 
 
 SEC.  4.  The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino shall, in coordination with the Council for 
the Welfare of Children, the Philippine Commission on Women, the Commission on Human 
Rights, the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, the Technical 
Education and Skills Development Authority, the Department of Health, the Department of 
Social Welfare and Development, the National Council on Disability Affairs, and the 
Presidential Communications Office, formulate the necessary rules, guidelines, and 
awareness campaigns for the effective implementation of this Act. 
 
SEC. 5. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the 
remaining provisions not affected shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
 
SEC.   6.  Nothing in this Act shall be construed to diminish, impair, or repeal any rights 
or privileges already recognized under existing laws, especially those pertaining to 
marginalized, disadvantaged, or vulnerable sectors. 
 
SEC. 7. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, letters of instruction, 
administrative orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof that are inconsistent with this 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
  
SEC.  8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in the 
Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 Approved,