In a bid for inclusivity and equal access, the city government through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) has assigned a permanent sign language interpreter during the weekly Monday flag-raising ceremonies starting July 14.
CSWDO Head Julie P. Dayaday told Madayaw Davao in an interview that with this initiative, persons with disabilities (PWDs), particularly the Deaf community, can fully participate in official city functions.
The interpreter will serve under the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) and may also be tapped for other activities and programs, provided these are scheduled in advance.
PDAO Head Atty. Redendo Martinez, in a separate interview with Madayaw Davao, said that the designation of a sign language interpreter is in accordance with Republic Act 11106, or the “Filipino Sign Language Act,” which declares Filipino Sign Language (FSL) as the national sign language of the Filipino Deaf and the official sign language of government in all transactions involving the Deaf. The law also mandates its use in schools, broadcast media, and workplaces.
Based on Section 7 of R.A. 11106, which discusses the use of FSL in all workplaces, FSL shall be the official language of the Filipino Deaf employed in the civil service and in all government offices. For this purpose, all government agencies are required to take reasonable measures to encourage the use of FSL among Deaf and hearing employees, including conducting awareness and training seminars on the rationale and use of FSL.
During this Monday’s flag ceremony, the city also opened the weeklong celebration of the 47th National Disability Rights Week (NDR) with the announcement of activities promoting the rights and welfare of PWDs. CIO
