Zambo City mandates sign language interpreter in media platforms

 By Myra Cel Espinosa

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jun 20 (PIA) – Zamboanga City approved Ordinance No. 574 that institutionalizes inclusivity in news and public affairs programs of television and other media platforms operating in Zamboanga City, thereby requiring simultaneous sign language insets and descriptive programming or subtitles.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod enacted the ordinance on May 24, 2022 and approved by Mayor Beng Climaco on May 30, 2022 and will take effect 15 days after the approval of the ordinance in accordance with the Local Government Code of 1991. 

Councilor Rogelio 'Gerky' Valesco, the principal author of the ordinance, emphasized the obligation of the State to have an inclusive governance and programs for Persons with Disability (PWD) who is deemed to be the most deprived and neglected sector that should have a voice in decision making and community efforts program.

“By having this Filipino sign language ordinance in place, we are giving importance to the voice of the PWDs,” Councilor Valesco added.

Under Section 3 of the ordinance provides that news and public affairs programs, including others as may be deemed feasible, produced by the multimedia platforms operating in Zamboanga City shall have simultaneous sign language inset or captioning, or both, administered by trained professional sign language interpreters.

Councilor Valesco together with Department of Education, City Social Welfare and Development Office and Non-Government Organizations supported the ordinance. In the ordinance, there is a proposed 3-million pesos budget to encourage those interested to attend and learn sign language at Colegio de Zamboanga.

Further, the sign language interpreters must be accredited by a duly recognized national sign language organizations as may be accredited by any government agency. The ordinance also mandates as a requirement for application and renewal of pertinent business permits the document reflecting an action plan on the implementation of sign language inset or captioning as well as descriptive program dissemination, particularly news and public affairs programs of multimedia platforms operating in Zamboanga City. (RVC/EDT/MLE/PIA9-Zamboanga City)