IRR of Filipino Sign Language Act

Rules construed liberally in favor of deaf Filipinos to respect and fulfill their rights as a linguistic and cultural minority.
Applies to national government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), local government units (LGUs), state universities and colleges, and autonomous regional bodies.

Complies with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
State promotes full and equal enjoyment of human rights of persons with disabilities.
Upholds dignity, autonomy, and independence by guaranteeing accessibility and eliminating discrimination.
Recognizes Filipino Sign Language as embodying the cultural and linguistic identity of the Filipino Deaf.
Supports cultural activities and education that recognize Filipino Sign Language from early childhood to secondary education.
Aligns with international human rights conventions to eliminate discrimination.

All state agencies to adopt measures recognizing and supporting Filipino Deaf culture and language.
Establishes a National Information & Communication Policy outlining minimum standards on:
- FSL instruction and training in civil service.
- Testing competency for civil service workers, prioritizing teachers and interpreters.
- Standards for specialized interpreting in legal, medical, broadcast, educational domains.
- Translation and development of FSL materials.
Agencies to develop their own Information & Communication Policies ensuring accessibility, nondiscrimination, training, and resources.
Encourage inclusive governance by eliminating barriers, gathering data, ensuring deaf participation, and coordinating policies.
Cross-agency coordination recommended for coherent implementation.

Clarifies terms such as deaf, Deaf, Deaf community, Filipino Sign Language, interpreting, qualified sign language interpreter, accessible formats, and others.
Distinguishes between "deaf" (broad hearing loss) and "Deaf" (culturally and linguistically identified community using FSL).
Defines systems, procedures, and tools such as Visual Communication Assessment for the Deaf (VCAD).

FSL recognized as official communication medium in all transactions involving deaf individuals.
Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) to develop national system for training, accreditation, and practice standards within three years.
Covers professional interpreters and Deaf Relay Interpreting.
Encourages continuing linguistic research and standard development.

DepEd, TESDA, CHED, and other agencies to adopt FSL as medium of instruction in early education, basic (K-12), technical/vocational, and higher education levels.
Policies to include curriculum adjustments, teacher training, hiring policies, interpreter provisions, and accessible materials.
PRC to adapt teacher licensing to provide affirmative action for deaf teacher graduates, ensuring fairness and accessibility.
Teacher education programs to include FSL curriculum or co-curricular offerings.
UP and others to develop training materials and research.

DepEd tasked with issuing guidelines on selection, production, procurement, and distribution of FSL instructional materials.
Coordination with local government units and deaf organizations for capacitation and support.
Annual submission of expenditure and implementation data to NEDA.

DOJ, Judiciary, DILG, and other justice agencies to declare FSL as official language in all programs and proceedings involving deaf individuals.
Policies to include training, assessment protocols (e.g., VCAD), case data collection, and interpreter designation policies.
Special provisions for vulnerable groups such as deaf women, children, and unschooled deaf individuals.
Barriers to justice addressed through institutionalized FSL use and dedicated resources.

CSC to declare FSL as official language in civil service and government workplaces.
Incremental recruitment and training of FSL interpreters prioritized across six key domains.
Personnel audits to determine staffing needs.
Policies for sustainable interpreter pools and capacity-building.
Up-skilling government employees and appointing authorities in FSL awareness and competency.

DOH to declare FSL official language in all health offices, facilities, and programs.
Review and enhance medical curricula to include FSL competency.
Provide accessible, barrier-free health services, especially in sexual, reproductive, mental health and HIV-AIDS areas.
Designate FSL consultants and engage deaf organizations for implementation and monitoring.

Agencies such as GSIS, SSS, PhilHealth, and others to declare FSL official language and implement corresponding communication policies.
PSA to develop a comprehensive database on deaf Filipinos and interpreter availability for strategic planning.
DILG to ensure local government compliance, data monitoring, training programs, and inclusion in incentive schemes.
Establish FSL focal points within agencies and LGUs to coordinate interpreting services and accessible materials.

MTRCB to declare FSL as official language for broadcast media interpreting and oversight of quality standards.
Coordination with media stakeholders for technical standards and accessible programming.
Implement accessible disaster and crisis communications.
Promote development of ICT and universal design for accessibility.
Engage deaf consultants and interpreter organizations for quality assurance.

National and local agencies to promote FSL awareness and competency among hearing individuals.
FSL offered as elective subject in state universities and colleges.
Research initiatives by UP, KWF, and others to preserve and develop FSL and Deaf culture.

Establishment of an FSL Inter-Agency Council for overall monitoring, coordination, and oversight.
Authority to direct agencies for reporting and resolving implementation issues.
Annual reporting to Congress and public in accessible formats.

Separability clause to maintain validity of provisions if others are invalidated.
Repealing clause rescinding conflicting laws and issuances.
Effectivity clause: Rules take effect 15 days after publication.
Revision of Rules planned five years after adoption for updates and improvements.