Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. 6759 (White Cane Act)

No date supplied

IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF R.A. 6759 "AN ACT DECLARING AUGUST ONE OF EACH YEAR AS WHITE CANE SAFETY DAY IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES" (WHITE-CANE ACT)

RULE I

Scope and Application

1. Purposes

The Rules and Regulations set forth herein are intended to promote the objectives of R.A. Act No. 6759, also known as the "WHITE CANE ACT."

2. Scope

The provisions of these Implementing Rules and Regulations IRR shall apply to the following:

a.All government agencies that service the needs of the blind and other disabled people.

b.All nongovernment organizations that service the blind and other disabled people.

RULE II

White Cane Inter-Agency Committee

1. Creation of an Inter-Agency Committee

The Department of Education, Culture and Sports, in consultation with the Department of Health and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, hereby creates a White Cane Inter-Agency Committee that will be in charge of the planning and implementation of a national program according to the objectives of the White Cane Act, especially the observance of White Cane Safety Day.

2. Composition

The Inter-Agency Committee shall be composed of the following: The Secretary of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports as Chairman; the Director-General of the Philippine Information Agency as Vice-Chairman; the Secretaries of the Department of Health, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Labor and Employment, and the Department of Transportation and Communications; the Executive Director of the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons; and representatives from two non-government organizations for and/or of the Blind; and one representative from a civic or cause-oriented group, as members. SCHcaT

3. Meetings

Regular quarterly meetings of the Committee shall be called by the Chairman. Special meetings, however, may be called as the need arises.

4. White Cane Participating Members

Aside from the membership of the White Cane Inter-Agency Committee other agencies/organizations can be recognized as White Cane Participating Members through a mechanism to be determined and promulgated by the Committee.

RULE III

Objectives

1. To instill public awareness of the plight of blind people.

2. To promote recognition and acceptance of the White Cane as symbol of mobility of blind persons. TIADCc

3. To serve as a reminder of the duty of the public to care for and accord due respect to blind persons.

4. To promote and protect the physical, moral and social well-being of blind persons.

RULE IV

Functions and Duties of the Inter-Agency Committee

The following shall be the functions and duties of the Inter-Agency Committee.

1. Help promote the meaning, significance and acceptance of the "White Cane" as symbol of the mobility of the blind people.

2. Conduct a continuing educational and information campaign on Republic Act No. 6759;

3. Formulate standards in the manufacture of canes;

4. Encourage the blind to use the White Cane in his mobility;

5. Assist in establishing linkage with both local and international bodies/agencies/organizations for coordinated action to benefit the visually impaired; and

6. Encourage government agencies and nongovernment organizations to undertake or participate in projects for the benefit of the visually impaired.

RULE V

Responsibilities of Each Agent/Organization

1. Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the participating agencies/organizations are as follows:

DECS	– Conducting a continuing education
	and information campaign on the Act.
PIA	– Disseminating through the tri-media
	desired information on the Act.
DOH	– Training of health personnel on the
	prevention of blindness.
	Providing medical care to patients
	with eye problem.
DSWD	– Providing support and training on
	orientation and mobility.
DOTC	– Conducting orientation and massive
	information campaign on the Act to
	drivers, conductors, vehicle owners
	and others.
	Providing access to the blind in land,
	sea and air transportation.
Organization	– Cooperating actively by providing
of and/or	the necessary resources (human
for the blind	and material).
	Organizing human resource
	development program on mobility.
	Postering acceptance by the blind
	on the use of the white cane and the
	independence it represents.
Civic Organizations	– Sponsoring projects to promote the
	welfare of the blind.
NCWDP	– Coordinating and monitoring the
	implementation of the Act.

2. Reporting

All cooperating agencies/organizations shall submit a semestral report on their programs to the Secretariat.

RULE VI

Mechanics of Implementation

1. Secretariat

The Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall serve as the Secretariat of the Inter-Agency Committee.

2. Funding

Each member agency shall allocate its counterpart budget for whatever programs, projects, and activities that the Inter-Agency Committee may approve for implementation in observance of the White Cane Safety Day and other objectives of the White Cane Act. HEDCAS

RULE VII

Administration and Enforcement

Responsibility for Administration and Enforcement

The administration and enforcement of these rules shall be vested on the heads of member agencies of the Inter-Agency Committee.

Effectivity

These Implementing Rules and Regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days after the date of publication in the Official Gazette. CIAacS

PROMULGATED BY:

(Sgd.) (Illegible)

Secretary

Department of Education, Culture and Sports

Secretary

Department of Health

(Sgd.) (Illegible)

Director General

Philippine Information Agency

In Consultation with:

(Sgd.) (Illegible)

SecretaryDepartment of Social Welfare and Development