Filipino Sign Language as the National Sign Language
- Declares Filipino Sign Language (FSL) as the national sign language of the Philippines
- Recognizes, promotes, and supports FSL as the official communication medium in all transactions involving the deaf
- Establishes FSL as the language of instruction in deaf education
- Allows use of other communication forms based on individual preference
Filipino Sign Language in Education
- Mandates DepEd, CHED, TESDA, and other government entities to use and coordinate the use of FSL as the medium of instruction in deaf education
- Requires FSL to be taught as a separate subject to deaf learners
- Reads and writes Filipino, other Philippine languages, and English to be taught alongside FSL
- Directs PRC and teacher education programs to apply affirmative, alternative assessment procedures for licensing deaf teachers
- Encourages inclusion of FSL in teacher education programs as curricular or co-curricular offering
- Requires regular training and evaluation of teachers in deaf education, with development of guidelines by UP, KWF, CHED, DepEd, and ECCD Council
Standards for Filipino Sign Language Interpreting
- KWF to establish national standards, accreditation, and procedural systems for FSL interpreting in coordination with deaf community and stakeholders
- Respects the deaf person’s right to choose communication modes
- Covers policies related to interpreting profession such as compensation, working conditions, and grievance procedures
Filipino Sign Language in the Justice System
- Declares FSL as the official language for legal interpreting in courts, quasi-judicial agencies, tribunals, police stations, and local mediation bodies
- Requires qualified sign language interpreter availability in all proceedings involving the deaf
- Upholds deaf individuals’ right to choose alternative communication methods
- Mandates training programs for court personnel, hearing and relay interpreters, police, and prison staff
- DOJ, DILG, Judiciary, and deaf community to develop standards, accreditation, and procedures for legal FSL interpreting
Filipino Sign Language in All Workplaces
- Declares FSL as the official language for Filipino deaf employed in civil service and all government workplaces
- Requires government offices to promote FSL usage among deaf and hearing employees
- Conducts awareness and training seminars on FSL use rationale
- UP, KWF, and linguistics organizations to formulate guidelines for employee training materials especially in various government agencies
Filipino Sign Language in the Health System
- Mandates state hospitals and health facilities to ensure deaf access to health services
- Requires free provision of FSL interpreters and accessible materials upon request
- Encourages private health facilities to provide access for deaf patients and their families as corporate social responsibility
Filipino Sign Language in All Other Public Transactions, Services, and Facilities
- Requires all national government agencies, GOCCs, and LGUs to use FSL in all public transactions with the deaf
- Provision of qualified FSL interpreters and accessible materials during various official events and activities upon request
Filipino Sign Language in Media
- Mandates FSL as the language for broadcast media interpreting
- Requires Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) and MTRCB to require FSL interpreter insets in news and public affairs within one year
- Promotes progressive FSL use in other broadcasts, especially children’s educational programs
- Establishes national standards, procedures, and accreditation for broadcast media interpreting in FSL
- Requires videos published online to comply with Philippine web accessibility standards
Promotion of Filipino Sign Language
- DepEd, CHED, UP, KWF, and other agencies to promote FSL competency among hearing people
- Encourages offering FSL as an elective in mainstream curricula, especially in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs)
- Directs SUCs, led by UP, to undertake continuing research on FSL development, propagation, and preservation
Instructional Materials for Schools and Child Development Centers
- Mandates DepEd to develop guidelines for print and video FSL materials for public schools, day care, and child development centers
- Reserves 75% of procurement contracts for organizations and cooperatives run by deaf persons and recognized by LGUs
Implementing Rules and Regulations
- KWF to promulgate rules and regulations for this Act’s implementation within 180 days
- Coordination with DepEd, CHED, TESDA, PRC, Supreme Court, DOJ, and other agencies
- Involvement of deaf community representatives, educators, interpreters, and other stakeholders
- Publication of rules in accessible formats on agency websites and other media
Monitoring and Implementation
- Establishes an Inter-Agency Council with representatives from CHR, CWC, PCW, KWF, and FSL organizations
- The Council to submit annual monitoring reports to Congress and publish in accessible formats
- Enforcement includes referral to Civil Service Commission, DILG, Sandiganbayan, Ombudsman, and other bodies for sanctions upon non-compliance
Appropriations
- Initial funding sourced from current appropriations of concerned agencies
- Subsequent funding included in the General Appropriations Act
- Relevant expenditures on education may be charged to ECCD Council, LGU Special Education Fund, or other related funds
Separability Clause
- Declares unaffected provisions remain valid despite any provision being declared unconstitutional or invalid
Repealing Clause
- Repeals or amends all inconsistent laws and executive issuances
Effectivity
- Act takes effect 15 days after publication in Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation