With the passage of Filipino Sign Language law
NANCY PUSHES FOR SPEEDY ISSUANCE OF IMPLEMENTING RULES

Senator Nancy Binay welcomed the signing of the Filipino Sign Language Act, saying that the measure would give the deaf more access, especially in schools and in transacting with government.

"Nananawagan po ako sa Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino at iba pang concerned agencies na madaliin ang paglalabas ng IRR upang maagang mapakinabangan ng ating mga deaf ang batas na ito, lalo na ang pagtuturo ng FSL sa mga paaralan," she said.

With the Filipino Sign Language (FSL) law signed, Binay wanted the issuance of the law's implementing rules and regulations (IRR) be fasttracked.

Republic Act number 11106 mandates that the FSL shall be recognized, promoted, and supported as the medium of official communication in all transactions involving the deaf.

"Mas magiging katuwang na natin ang deaf sa nation building dahil mas mapapadali na ang transactions nila sa gobyerno," Binay, the primary author of the law, said.

The law specifically mandates all government agencies and government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) to use FSL in transacting with the deaf. Qualified interpreters and materials should also be provided whenever necessary or requested in activities conducted by government agencies and GOCCs.

FSL will also be the language of instruction for deaf education, without prejudice to the use of other forms of communication depending on individual choice or preference.

She added that it's high time that FSL and Braille become part of the school curriculum.

"FSL should be taught to everyone in schools regardless if there's a deaf person on campus or not. FSL should be inclusive, because sign language is also a basic conversational language," Binay said.

The senator said teaching FSL should start from the level of teachers.

"Filipinos who are hard of hearing will be able to exercise their right to expression and opinion without prejudice to their condition," Binay pointed out.

She also encouraged government agencies to spearhead the law's implementation.

"Mahalaga rin ang papel ng pamahalaan sa pagpapalaganap ng batas. Hinihimok ko ang Senado na manguna rito," Binay said.

She also filed Senate Resolution number 480 in the present Congress, urging the Senate to provide sign language interpreters in Senate sessions and committee hearings.

Binay's party, the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) first provided sign language support in most, if not all, of its 2013 campaign rallies for the benefit of persons with disabilities, particularly the deaf community.

The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) and the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) are also directed, within a year of the law's effective date, to have FSL insets in news and public affairs programs, whether in broadcast or in online videos.