IRR OF RA 6759

Republic of the Philippines CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES Metro Manila REPUBLIC ACT 6759 IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS RULE I. SCOPE AND APPLICATION 1. Purpose The Rules and Regulations set forth herein are intended to promote the objectives of R.A. 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 non-government 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 Commit- tee 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 Communication; 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 causeoriented group, as members. 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 To instill public awareness of the plight of blind people. To promote recognition and acceptance of the White Cane as symbol of mobility of blind persons. To serve as a reminder of the duty of the public to care for and accord due respect to blind persons. 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: Help promote the meaning, significance and acceptance of the White Cans as symbol of the mobility of the blind people; Conduct a continuing educational and information campaign on Republic Act Formulate standards in the manufacture of canes; Encourage the blind to use the White Cane in his mobility; Assist in establishing linkage with both local and international bodies/agencies/organizations for coordinated action to benefit the visually impaired; and Encourage government agencies and non-government organizations to undertake or participate in projects for the benefit of the visually impaired. RULE V. RESPONSIBILITIES OF EACH AGENCY/ORGANIZATION Responsibilities The responsibilities of the participating agencies/organizations are as follows: DECS Conducting a continuing education and information campaign on the Act. PIA Dissemination through the tri-media desired information on the Act. DOH Training of health personnel on the prevention of blindness. 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 Organizations of and for PWDs cooperating actively by providing for the blind the necessary resource (human 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. 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. RULE VII. ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT Responsibility for Administration and Enforcement The administrative and enforcement of these rules shall be vested on the heads of member agencies of the Inter-Agency Committee EFFECTIVITY. The Implementing Rules and Regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days after the date of publication in the official Gazette Promulgated by: (Sgd.) Secretary, Department of Education, Culture and Sports (Sgd.) Secretary, Department of Health (Sgd.) Director General Philippine Information Agency In Consultation with: (Sgd.)Secretary Department of Social Welfare and Development