President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law Republic Act No. 11106, or The Filipino Sign Language Act.
The law, signed on October 30, declares the Filipino Sign Language as the national language of the Filipino deaf and the official sign language of government in all transactions involving the deaf.
It mandates its use in schools, broadcast media and work places.
La Union 2nd District Rep. Sandra Eriguel, the chairperson of the Committee on Social Services which recommended the approval of the House version, said R.A. 11106 aimed to “uphold the rights of the deaf by promoting their participation in social activities through the use of Filipino Sign Language in schools, the broadcast media, the courts and offices and in all public transactions”.
“It supports the vision taken with the Early Years Act [R.A. 10410] and the Enhanced Basic Education Act (R.A. 10533) which have already recognized Filipino Sign Language in the education of deaf learners from early childhood up to the secondary level,” she added.
Meanwhile, Duterte also signed a law regulating the practice of criminology profession in the Philippines.
Duterte approved Republic Act No. 11131, or the Philippine Criminology Profession Act of 2018.
The new law aims to govern the examination, registration and licensure of criminologists; supervise, control and regulate the practice of criminology; and develop professional competence of criminologists.
It said the state recognizes the importance of criminology profession in national security, public safety, peace and order, and in nation building and development.
“Hence, it shall develop and nurture competent, virtuous, productive and well-rounded criminologists whose standards of professional practice and service shall be excellent, qualitative, world-class and globally competitive through sacred, honest, effective and credible licensure examinations, coupled with programs and activities that would promote professional growth and development,” according to the law.
Duterte also signed a law providing for the regulation and supervision of payment systems in the country.
Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11127, or ‘The National Payment Systems Act’ on October 30.
According to the new law, payment system is defined as the set of payment instruments, processes, procedures and participants that ensure the transfer of funds.
The law provides that the government, through the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, promotes “the safe, secured, efficient and reliable operation of payment systems in order to control systemic risk and provide an environment conducive to the sustainable growth of the economy.”
“The state recognizes that payment systems are crucial parts of the financial infrastructure of the country and it is essential that they function safely and efficiently for the stability and effectiveness of the monetary and financial systems,” the law reads. With PNA
