Bill seeks cheaper telco rates for disabled people

By Nikka Garriga

QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA-- House Bill 5670, or the Telecommunications Relay System Act of 2012, seeks to provide equitable and basic access to those with hearing, speech or dual sensory impairment at affordable rates.

The bill was filed by Bagong Henerasyon Partylist Representative Bernadette Herrera-Dy

“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.

Upon passage into law, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) is directed to ensure the availability of such services in the most efficient extent for the handicapped.

The commission is instructed to establish functional requirements; guidelines and operations procedures for telecommunications relay services; and minimum standards.

It must also require that telecommunications relay services operate seven days a week for 24 hours per day and provide for automatic and immediate handling of emergency calls.

Relay operators are strictly prohibited from intentionally altering a relayed conversation, refusing and/or limiting the length of using the relay service.

The bill likewise indicates that the cost of specialized telecommunications equipment will be shouldered by all the telecommunications customers.

“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,” Dy stressed.

A recent study conducted by the Better Hearing Philippines Inc., cited an 8.8 percent ratio (relative to the total population) in terms of hearing disability and 28 percent for hearing loss or impairment.

One third of the said data accounts those with speaking disability as per a general survey conducted by the Department of Health (DoH) and the University of the Philippines.

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