Parents, students from various universities, organizations, advocates, and political figures, pushed for the implementation of FSL Law Republic Act (RA) 11106 within the sectors of the government, marching from Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to the House of Representatives (HOR) at Batasang Pambansa, earlier today, September 23. 

Sign Language Rights for All” is the theme of the FSL rally in commemoration of the International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL). This was led by the Philippine Federation of the Deaf (PFD) in cooperation with Philippine Federation of the Deaf Youth Section (PFDYS), FSL Advocates, IDSL Committees and Filipino Deaf Vloggers. The incorporation of FSL in the education system, budget, healthcare, access and other aspects as one of the Mother Tongues is highlighted throughout the march.

FSL Law primary authors, former congressman Antonio Tinio and congresswoman France Castro, also joined the 44 groups, schools, non-government organizations, churches, supporters, and others.

The specific points of the agenda aimed to address the disapproved budget of two million pesos for the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino’s implementation of Filipino Sign Language (FSL), continuous discrimination and violation of human rights, and an absence of accessible house bill or senate bill for the incorporation and accesibility of the Deaf to information, communication, and services.⁠

The program started with an opening prayer and national anthem, followed by a message from IDSL Director Henry Perey emphasizing the access of the Deaf and recognition of FSL.

“We will be showing the government, the Department of Education, so that they can budget accessible accomodations for us. We will march to the [HOR] so we can show them what we are really made of as a community, why FSL is so important for us,” he said.

CHR Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights Center Assistant Chief Clarisse Espinosa, together with PDF President Carolyn Dagani, discussed the actions and investigation about the human right issues violated by media personalities Mocha Uson and Drew Olivar, emphasizing that FSL is a key right of the Deaf and their “extremely degrading and derogatory” action is unacceptable in the eyes of law (Violation of Public Ridicule).

Dagani fully hopes for an immediate action and response to the Ombudsman about the result and development with regard to the case.

Meanwhile, fourth year Deaf Benildean student Francis Ethelbert Pagaduan aims to show to the HOR they should be recognized as a Deaf community which deserves to be included in society.

“Hindi dapat nila tinatanggal ang FSL. Kailangan nila ito isama sa kurikulum. They have to learn towards a unified communication among the Deaf community,” Pagaduan signed in an interview with The Benildean.

With a vision to provide a better future for their children and co-parents who have Deaf children, a newly-born association named Parents and Advocate of the Deaf that was led by Benildean parents Chrysnel Oidem, Myra Samia, and Mary Jane Mascariñas, encourages all parents to support their children towards the advocacy and offers guidance and a new perspective as a parent of a Deaf to see this not as a burden, but rather a door for opportunity.

“Deserve nila magkaroon ng equal rights; dapat pantay talaga. Hindi nila pinili ‘yun at ‘di [rin] namin ‘yun ginusto bilang nanay,” Oidem stated in an interview with The Benildean.

“‘Yan kasi ‘yung pinakamahirap eh. ‘Yung walang nakakaintindi sa anak mo, kung ano ‘yung mga kailangan nila. Kami nga sa bahay, iilan lang kami na marunong lang mag-sign, problema na, what more ‘pag lumabas na sila sa iba’t ibang klase ng mundo at tao, ‘di sila maiintindihan? Siguro kung maipapakalat ang FSL, malaking bagay ang maitutulong nito mapa-trabaho,” she added, explaning struggles of a parent with Deaf children without the proper knowledge of FSL.

Upon arrival at the HOR, Dagani, Castro, Tinio, and Makabayan Partylist lobbied for FSL Act R.A. 11106 and DepEd R.A. 10533, as well commented on intersectionality, and the neglection of FSL in education system, public access in media, healthcare, and services, as well as the exclusion and non-prioritization of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration in terms of accessibility and recognition of FSL as National Sign Language.

“Maaring tahimik kayo dito pero dinig na dinig namin ang inyong sigaw at tinig. ‘Wag po kayong mag-alala, ang inyong mga pagpapakapagod at pawis ay tutugunin ng mga kinatawan na maisagawa ang batas para sa Filipino Sign Language,” Ferdinand Gaite of BayanMuna partylist stated.

PFDYS President and IDSL Coordinator Louis Christian Decara ended the program with his closing remarks, thanking every individual who participated and made the rally possible.

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde is one of the major institutions that caters and practices inclusivity for the Deaf with their School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies. They offer Filipino Sign Language courses to the Benildean and non-Benildean community to broaden horizons and spread the culture of inclusion amongst the Hearing.

The institution, together with the Deaf community, have been actively participating and involving in partnerships and movements involving the rights and propagation of Deaf language and culture nationally.