FSL

Sen. Bam rallies support for Filipino deaf community, FSL Act

Deaf Filipinos will soon be empowered with their own national language after the Senate passed on third and final reading the Filipino Sign Language (FSL) Act, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

On Tuesday, the Senate approved Senate Bill No. 1455 on third and final reading via 20 affirmative votes, zero negative vote and no abstention.

“We hope to build a society where every Filipino is valued and respected. Let’s support and empower the Filipino deaf community,” said Sen. Bam, who explained that the FSL Act seeks to recognize Filipino Sign Language or FSL as the national sign language and endeavors to bring it to the mainstream.

In his sponsorship speech as vice chairman of the Committee on Education, Sen. Bam said the FSL will give the deaf community better access to government services, information, education, and justice.

If enacted into law, the FSL will become the official mode of communication of the deaf for government services, calling for trained interpreters in various government offices. 

The measure also aims to make FSL as means of interpretation in broadcast media, delivering news and information consistently to the deaf community.

In his five years in the Senate, Sen. Bam has continuously worked hard for the welfare of persons with disabilities (PWDs). In the 16th Congress, Sen. Bam pushing the passage of Republic Act 10754, which exempts PWDs from paying value added tax (VAT), as co-author.

Sen. Bam also worked for the passage of Republic Act 10905 or the Closed Caption Law as co-author. It requires television networks to use the closed captioning system for news and current affairs programs and entertainment shows for the benefit of viewers with hearing impairment.

In the 17th Congress, Sen. Bam filed Senate Bill No. 967 requiring Filipino Sign Language insets for local news programs. He also filed Senate Bill No. 1249 seeking to mandate government offices and private companies to allocate a percentage of their workforce for PWDs.

Sen. Bam pushes for passage of FSL measure, lauds SONA sign-language interpreters

Sen. Bam Aquino lauded the sign language interpreters for making President Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) accessible to our deaf countrymen even as he pushed for the passage of Senate Bill No. 966 or the Filipino Sign Language Act.

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa sign language interpreters sa SONA sa kanilang pagsisikap na maihatid ang mensahe ng ating Pangulo sa ating mga kababayang bingi,” said Sen. Bam, author of Senate Bill No. 966.

“Maraming humanga sa mga interpreters sa mahigit na dalawang oras na SONA ng Pangulo,” added the senator, “We hope this also translates to a better appreciation of Filipino sign language.”

The measure seeks to declare Filipino Sign Language (FSL) as the national sign language of the Filipino Deaf and the official language of the Philippine government in all transactions with the Deaf. In addition, the measure also mandates the use of FSL in schools, workplaces, and broadcast media.

In his four years as lawmaker, Sen. Bam has tirelessly worked for the welfare of persons with disabilities (PWDs) by pushing the passage of Republic Act 10754, which exempts PWDs from paying value added tax (VAT), in the 16th Congress as co-author.

He also worked for the passage of Republic Act 10905 or the Closed Caption Law as co-author. It requires television networks to use the closed captioning system for news and current affairs programs and entertainment shows for the benefit of viewers with hearing impairment.

In the 17th Congress, Sen. Bam filed Senate Bill No. 967 requiring Filipino Sign Language insets for local news programs. He also filed Senate Bill No. 1249 seeking to mandate government offices and private companies to allocate a percentage of their workforce for PWDs.

Under the bill, which seeks to amend Republic Act 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, government agencies are mandated to ensure that two percent of their employees comprise of PWDs. Private organizations, for their part, will be required to employ one percent of their workforce from PWDs.

“This bill seeks to guarantee the inclusion of PWDs in the workforce and provide commensurate compensation, benefits and employment terms for PWDs as any other qualified employee,” Sen. Bam said.

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