Deaf Studies: Please support Senate Bill 2117 and 2118! Read more about them here.

Introduced by: Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" A. Aquino IV

Senate Bill 2117: Requiring the use of Filipino Sign Language insets for local news programs, amending for the purpose section 22 of republic act no. 7277, as amended, otherwise known as the "Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)"

"Section 22 of Republic Act No. 7277 or the "Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities," as amended by Republic Act No. 9442, is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 22 Broadcast Media - ALL LOCAL television station will be REQUIRED to provide a sign language inset, and if possible, subtitles in at least TWO (2) newscast programs a day and special programs covering events of national significance.

Without, captioned or sign language on TV, the Deaf are deprived of timely and relevant information that broadcast news provides.

Through this proposed bill, the broadcast media will be more accessible to the Deaf. It may also pave the way for more sign-language interpreted programs in the future.

It should also be considered that less than 5% of the reported more than 120,000 Deaf persons are literate or have received any form of schooling, according to the Philippine Federation of the Deaf and Philippine Deaf Resource Center. This is why Filipino Sign Language is preferred over captions.

Senate Bill 2118: Declaring Filipino Sign Language as the National Sign Language of the Filipino Deaf and the Official Language of Government in all transactions involving the Deaf, and Mandating its use in Schools, Broadcast Media, and Workplace.

According to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities Article 12: Freedom of expression and opinion and access to information which specially states that:

"State Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that persons with disabilities can exercise the right to freedom of expression and opinion, including the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas on an equal basis with others and through all forms of communication of their choice, as defined in article 2 of the present convention, including by:

A. Providing information intended for the General Public to persons with Disabilities in accessible formats and technologies appropriate to different kinds of disabilities in a timely manner and without additional cost;

B. Accepting and facilitating the use of sign languages, Braille, augmentative and alternative communication, and all other accessible means, modes and formats of communication of their choice by persons with disabilities in official interactions;

C. Urging private entities that provide services to the general public, including through the Internet, to provide information and services in accessible and usable formats for persons with disabilities;

D. Encouraging the mass media, including providers of information through the Internet, to make their services accessible to persons with disabilities;

E. RECOGNIZING and PROMOTING the USE of SIGN LANGUAGE.

Article 30: Participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport.

"States Parties recognize the right of persons with disabilities to take part on an equal basis with others in cultural life, and shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that persons with disabilities:

A. Enjoy access to cultural materials in accessible formats;

B. Enjoy access to television programmes, films, theatre and other cultural activities, in accessible formats.

C. Enjoy access to places for cultural performances or services, such as theatres, museums, cinemas, libraries and tourism services, and, as far as possible, enjoy access to monuments and sites of national cultural importance.

4. Persons with disabilities shall be entitled, on an equal basis with others, to RECOGNITION and SUPPORT of their specific CULTURAL and LINGUISTIC IDENTITY, including SIGN LANGUAGE and DEAF CULTURE.

Without recognition a national sign language as Filipino Sign Language, the Filipino deaf are isolated, barrier-communication and conflict information that cultural language minority provides for the Deaf.

Through this proposed bill, the Filipino Sign Language will be more accessible to the Filipino Deaf community. It used by Deaf individuals and hearing sign language interpreters in the Philippines. It has its own linguistic features unique from other spoken languages and a product of advocacy and history.

Please SUPPORT Senate Bill 2117: Filipino Sign Language Act in Broadcast Media 2014 and Senate Bill 2118: Filipino Sign Language Act 2014. Our goal is 100,000 LIKES for your SUPPORT. Please visit https://www.facebook.com/SupportDeafSenateBills Page then click "LIKE"