JAN.

31, 2012 DATE

NR # 2665
REF. NO.

Creation of telecom relay system for persons with hearing and speech disabilities sought
A lawmaker is strongly pushing for the creation of a telecommunications relay system that would provide equitable basic access to the telecommunications network for persons with hearing, speech or dual sensory disabilities. Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy (Party-list, Bagong Henerasyon) filed House Bill 5670 to give persons with hearing, speech or dual sensory impairments access to basic telecommunications services at a cost no greater than that paid by other telecommunications services customers. The cost of specialized telecommunications equipment shall be borne by all the telecommunications customers, the bill provides. Herrera-Dy said a significant portion of the Filipino population has hearing, speech or dual sensory disabilities. She cited a recent survey on hearing disability and ear disorders conducted by Better Hearing Philippines, Inc., which placed the prevalence of hearing disability at 8.8% and hearing loss or impairment at 28%. On the other hand, Herrera-Dy said a general survey on disability conducted by the Department of Health (DOH) and the University of the Philippines pegged the prevalence of speaking disability at about a third (1/3) of the percentage of hearing disability. These numbers are expected to increase as the growth rate of the elderly population continues to increase, Herrera-Dy said, quoting the survey. In filing the bill, Herrera-Dy cited the declared policy of the State to recognize, protect, realize and enhance the right of Filipinos with hearing, speech and dual sensory disabilities to basic telecommunications services as essential to the full enjoyment of life and all human rights. Communication is an essential human need and a basic human right. With it, no individual or community can exist or prosper. Communication strengthens human dignity and validates human equality, Herrera-Dy said. Herrera-Dy said as policy makers, it is their responsibility to give way that Filipinos enjoy the benefit of this right by promoting the ability of all Filipinos to access the basic communications networks. According to Herrera-Dy, hearing and speech disabilities render normal telecommunications services useless without additional specialized devices, many of which are cost prohibitive for end-users. Section 23 of Republic Act 7277 otherwise

JAN. 31, 2012 DATE

NR # 2665
REF. NO.

known as Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, recognized this need by encouraging telephone providers to install devices to assist the hearing disabled. Creating a firm requirement to provide these services will ensure to the greatest extent possible that the needs of the hearing and speech disabled are met, Herrera-Dy stressed. The measure to be known as the Telecommunications Relay System Act of 2012 directs the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to ensure the availability of telecommunications relay services, to the extent possible and in the most efficient manner, to persons with hearing and speech disabilities and persons with dual sensory disabilities in the country. The NTC shall establish functional requirements, guidelines and operations procedures for telecommunications relay services, minimum standards, require that telecommunications relay services operate seven days a week for 24 hours per day and provide for the automatic and immediate handling of emergency calls. The bill prohibits relay operators from failing to fulfill the obligations of common carriers by refusing communications or limiting the length of communications that use telecommunications relay services and prohibit them from intentionally altering a relayed conversation. The NTC shall encourage the use of existing technology and does not discourage or impair the development of improved technology. It shall also review annually the rate established for each subscriber line of a carrier including the remittance portion and may make adjustments to the rate and remittance portion to ensure full recovery of costs. Each common carrier shall comply with the regulations prescribed in this Act within three years after its enactment, through the area in which it offers telecommunications relay services. (30) lvc