27/09/2019
As the Benildean Deaf community stood united at the gates of the Taft campus, they proclaimed “I am proud to be deaf, and I deserve sign language rights” in posters and signage. Decades of relentless fighting from the Deaf community against inequality have never been stronger until today. In celebration of International Sign Language Day, they call out to the public to implement the stipulations in Republic Act 11106, or the Filipino Sign Language Law. Enacted last October 2018, the law enforces anti-discrimination campaigns across all sectors including education, health care, media, and workplaces.
“They’re killing the Filipino Sign Language,” exclaims Coordinator for Deaf Students Ana Arce after the government’s failure to allocate annual budget to implement the R.A. 11106, and the Department of Education’s choice not to implement Filipino Sign Language in the K-12 Basic Education Program. Arce adds, “As Benildeans, we need to make the public, the media, and the government aware that it is a fight for a basic right.”
The Benildean Deaf Rally took place in September 25, 2019 at the Taft Campus front gate, along Vito Cruz.
(Words by Danize Lukban)
(Ad Astra Photo/ Monique Veneracion)
