March 29, 2024

The Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino has completed the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 11106 or the Filipino Sign Language Law (FSL).
RA 11106, which was enacted in 2018, can now be implemented to support and uplift the life of the deaf population.
The IRR was established with the cooperation of stakeholders, including Dr. Liza Martinez, a proponent of FSL and KWF Commissioner Benjamin Mendillo, Jr. with the goal of substantially aiding hearing-impaired individuals.
Martinez expressed gratitude and appreciation for the KWF’s cooperation in the finalization of the IRR during the virtual flag raising event.
“Sa batas na ito, ang Pilipinas ay isa sa apatnapung bansa na kinabibilangan ng isang daan limampu’t dalawang bansa ng UN na nagsabatas ng pagkilala sa wikang senyas ng komunidad ng mga bingi,” said Martinez.
“Sa ASEAN naman, pangatlo lamang ang Pilipinas kasunod ng Malaysia at Thailand na may ganitong kakaibang batas at tayo ang pinakamasigasig ngayon na nagsusulong ng ganitong uri ng pagkilala sa wikang senyas sa buong ASEAN,” she added.
Mendillo expressed gratitude to KWF Chair Arthur Casanova for his assistance in the crafting of the IRR.
He also lauded the three-agency Inter-Agency Coordinating Council for their participation in the IRR delivery process.
RA 11106 declares the FSL as the national sign language of the Filipino deaf and the official sign language of government in all transactions involving the deaf. It also mandates the use of FSL in schools, broadcast media, and workplaces.
The principal authors of RA 11106 are Assistant Minority leader and ACT Teachers Representative France Castro and former representative Antonio Tinio.
President Rodrigo Duterte signed RA 11106 into law on Oct. 30, 2018. – Press release