Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 11106)
Republic Act No. 11106 is known as "The Filipino Sign Language Act".
The State shall promote, protect, and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms of persons with disabilities, ensuring accessibility and eliminating discrimination in all public interactions and transactions.
The Filipino Sign Language (FSL) is declared as the national sign language of the Philippines and recognized as the official sign language of the government in all transactions involving the deaf.
The Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and all other national and local government agencies involved in deaf education are tasked to use FSL as the medium of instruction.
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and teacher education programs are directed to employ alternative assessment procedures that consider the abilities and social barriers of deaf teachers as affirmative action measures.
The KWF, with the involvement of the deaf community and other stakeholders, shall establish a national system of standards, accreditations, and procedures for FSL interpreting including policies on interpreting as a profession.
FSL is the official language of legal interpreting for the deaf in all public hearings, proceedings, and transactions in courts, quasi-judicial agencies, and other tribunals, with availability of qualified sign language interpreters mandated.
All government offices shall encourage the use of FSL among deaf and hearing employees and conduct awareness and training seminars on the use and rationale of FSL.
State hospitals and health facilities must ensure access to health services for the Filipino deaf including the free provision of FSL interpreters and accessible materials upon request.
The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) and the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) shall require FSL interpreter insets compliant with accessibility standards in news and public affairs programs within one year of the Act's effectivity.
The KWF, in coordination with the Secretary of Education, Chairperson of CHED, Director General of TESDA, Chairperson of PRC, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Secretary of Justice, heads of relevant agencies, and in consultation with the deaf community, shall promulgate rules and regulations within 180 days after the Act’s effectivity.
The Inter-Agency Council, composed of representatives from CHR, CWC, PCW, KWF, and FSL organizations, oversees the strict monitoring and implementation of the Act and submits annual reports to both Houses of Congress.
Failure to comply can be referred to the Civil Service Commission, DILG, Sandiganbayan, Office of the Ombudsman, or other pertinent offices for appropriate sanctions pursuant to existing laws and regulations.
Initial funding shall be taken from current year appropriations of the concerned agencies, with continued funding included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
The DepEd Instructional Materials Council, in coordination with relevant bureaus and councils, shall develop guidelines for selecting, producing, procuring, and distributing print and video materials in FSL, reserving 75% of contracts for deaf people's organizations recognized by LGUs.