THE committee on public information of the House of Representatives passed two proposals to require the use of Filipino sign language insets for local television news programs to benefit persons with disabilities, especially the hearing-impaired.
The committee, chaired by ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, approved House Bill 2588 filed by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr. and HB 3027 by Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate amending Section 22 of Republic Act 7277 as amended, or the “Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities.”
Under the amendment, all free-to-air television stations are required to provide FSL insets, and where possible, closed captions or subtitles in at least two newscast programs a day and special programs covering events of national significance.