Deaf-blind Awareness Week (3Rd Week of June)

Senate TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE Office of the Recoetary REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session JAN 27 P2:09 SENATE RECEIVED BY 1713 S. No. _ Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT PROCLAIMING THE 3RD WEEK OF JUNE AS DEAF-BLIND AWARENESS WEEK EXPLANATORY NOTE Deaf-blindness is a unique disability that incorporates the sensory loss of both sight and hearing. Persons with these disabilities experience extreme isolation and the inability to access services and information which most take for granted. As reported by the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), as of April 2025, there are 2,125,198 total registered persons with disabilities (PWDs). Out of these, 251,302 are visually impaired, while 129,021 are deaf or hard-of-hearing. To encourage deaf-blind individuals to actively engage in public participation, it is necessary to focus attention on these PWDs. Recognizing that greater public awareness of this condition is vital will increase opportunities for those affected and help educate the public that they too can meaningfully contribute to the nation's progress. In this regard, the early passage of this bill is earnestly sought. MARK A. VILLAR RAC

... ' Senate Office of the secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) JAN 27 P2:09 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY S. No. _ Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT PROCLAIMING THE 3RD WEEK OF JUNE AS DEAF-BLIND AWARENESS WEEK Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section. 1. The 3rd week of June shall hereby be known in the Philippines as

2 "Deaf-Blind Awareness Week".

Sec. 2. The Department of Health (DOH) shall urge all citizens to recognize

4 "Deaf-Blind Awareness Week" and shall hold programs and activities for the 5 observance of the event. The DOH shall likewise provide assistance to organizations 6 that offer educational, advocacy, and support services to deaf-blind persons.

Sec. 3. The DOH shall promulgate the appropriate implementing rules and

regulations within fifteen (15) days from the approval of this Act.

Sec. 4. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the remainder

thereof not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 5. All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof,

inconsistent with any provision hereof are hereby repealed or modified accordingly

Sec. 6. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from its publication in

the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,