UP CEDEV meets with Deaf advocates

21 Jul 2026

The University of the Philippines Center for Education and Development (UP CEDEV) met with Deaf leaders from the Filipino Sign Language National Network on July 20, 2026 to discuss potential collaborations to strengthen Deaf education, promote Filipino Sign Language (FSL), and advance inclusive education in the Philippines.

Vice President for Academic Affairs Lorraine Pe Symaco (fourth from right) and Assistant Vice President Ian Kendrich Fontanilla (second from left) met with Deaf advocates from the Filipino Sign Language National Network to explore potential collaborations.

The network discussed Republic Act No. 11106 (the Filipino Sign Language Act) and the University’s mandate explicitly state in the Act, namely its role in promotion, research, and workplace training regarding FSL.

During the meeting, members of the network shared the challenges faced by the Deaf community, including limited access to inclusive education, ineffective teaching approaches, and the lack of standardized FSL interpreting in the workplace. They also highlighted the need for more research on Deaf education, particularly on first-language acquisition of FSL among Deaf children.

UP CEDEV expressed its interest in collaborating with the network through research, capacity-building, and advocacy initiatives. Proposed projects include public awareness campaigns, research, and dialogue related to FSL and Deaf accessibility.

The meeting coincided with the celebration of the 48th National Disability Rights Week from July 17 to 23, 2026, coordinated by the National Council on Disability Affairs.

Written by John Peter Himor

UP CEDEV meets with Deaf advocates

The University of the Philippines Center for Education and Development (UP CEDEV) met with Deaf leaders from the Filipino Sign Language National Network on July 20, 2026 to discuss potential collaborations to strengthen Deaf education, promote Filipino Sign Language (FSL), and advance inclusive education in the Philippines.

Vice President for Academic Affairs Lorraine Pe Symaco (fourth from right) and Assistant Vice President Ian Kendrich Fontanilla (second from left) met with Deaf advocates from the Filipino Sign Language National Network to explore potential collaborations.

The network discussed Republic Act No. 11106 (the Filipino Sign Language Act) and the University’s mandate explicitly state in the Act, namely its role in promotion, research, and workplace training regarding FSL.

During the meeting, members of the network shared the challenges faced by the Deaf community, including limited access to inclusive education, ineffective teaching approaches, and the lack of standardized FSL interpreting in the workplace. They also highlighted the need for more research on Deaf education, particularly on first-language acquisition of FSL among Deaf children.

UP CEDEV expressed its interest in collaborating with the network through research, capacity-building, and advocacy initiatives. Proposed projects include public awareness campaigns, research, and dialogue related to FSL and Deaf accessibility.

The meeting coincided with the celebration of the 48th National Disability Rights Week from July 17 to 23, 2026, coordinated by the National Council on Disability Affairs.

Written by John Peter Himor