A party-list lawmaker has called for a legislative inquiry into the abolition of the Filipino Sign Language (FSL) Unit under the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF).
ACT TEACHERS party list Rep. France Castro, along with fellow lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc, Reps. Arlene Brosas of Gabriela and Raoul Manuel of the Kabataan party-list, filed House Resolution 1774 seeking the probe on the KWF’s decision not to renew the contracts of service of the FSL Unit’s members and administrative staff, effectively abolishing the unit.
“Congress must ensure that the laws we pass are implemented properly and that agencies fulfil their mandates, especially in serving marginalized sectors like the Deaf community,” Castro stressed. Maricel V. Cruz
“This abrupt abolition of the FSL Unit is a grave concern that demands immediate attention,” Castro stated.
“It not only violates the KWF’s mandates under its charter and the Filipino Sign Language Act but also threatens the rights and welfare of the Filipino Deaf community." "It is also very discriminatory against deaf people and their welfare," she added.
Castro emphasized the critical role of the FSL Unit in implementing Republic Act 11106 or the Filipino Sign Language Act.