Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 6759)
The short title of Republic Act No. 6759 is the "White Cane Act."
The main policy declared by the State is to promote and protect the physical, moral, and social well-being of all handicapped persons, such as the blind, and to undertake studies on specific causes of the high percentage of blind people in the Philippines.
August one of each year is declared as White Cane Safety Day.
The purpose is to instill public awareness of the plight of the blind, promote recognition and acceptance of the "white cane" as a symbol of the need of the blind for specific assistance, and remind individuals of their duty to care for and accord due respect to blind persons.
The Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the Department of Health, and the Philippine Information Agency are tasked to conduct continuing education and information campaigns.
The Department of Education, Culture and Sports, in consultation with the Department of Health and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, shall issue rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of the Act.
The Act took effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
The Act was approved by then President Corazon C. Aquino.
The "white cane" is recognized as a symbol of the need of the blind for specific assistance and a reminder of the individual's duty to care for and accord due respect to blind persons.
They are responsible for observing the White Cane Safety Day appropriately and conducting continuing education and information campaigns to achieve the goals of public awareness and recognition of the needs of the blind as stated in the Act.