House okays bill to establish services for learners with disabilities

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill that will institute services for learners with disabilities (LWDs) in support of inclusive education.

House Bill No. 8080, or the Instituting Services for Learners with Disabilities (LWDs) in Support of Inclusive Education Act, which will likewise establish Inclusive Learning Resource Centers (ILRCs) in all school districts, was approved by 197 lawmakers.

Under the proposed legislation, an Inter-Agency Coordinating Council on Learners with Disabilities (IACC-LWDs) will be set up attached to the Department of Education (DepEd) for policy integration, harmonization, and coordination of functions at the national level.

It also called for the provision of human resource complements for the ILRC to carry out its responsibilities, such as the administrative core and placement committee, mobile Special Education (SPED) teachers, and mobile multi-specialist division support team.

The bill further mandates the DepEd to undertake continuing research to identify and design programs that shall meet the needs of LWDs, and provide nationwide dissemination campaigns on the prevention, early identification, and intervention programs for LWDs.

The proposed measure also requires DepEd, in coordination with the Department of Justice, to establish and maintain procedural safeguards concerning the filing of complaints made by LWDs and their parents or guardians.

It calls for the establishment of a program support fund for the delivery of services for LWDs as well.

KGA