Republic Act No. 6759 - White Cane Act (2024)

Law Summary

Short Title (Section 1)

• The Act is known as the "White Cane Act."

Declaration of Policy (Section 2)

• The State aims to promote and protect the physical, moral, and social well-being of all handicapped persons, including the blind.
• The State also intends to conduct studies on the specific causes of the high percentage of blind people in the Philippines.

White Cane Safety Day (Section 3)

• August 1 of each year is declared as White Cane Safety Day.
• The purpose of this day is to raise public awareness about the challenges faced by the blind.
• The "white cane" is recognized as a symbol of the blind's need for specific assistance.
• The white cane also serves as a reminder for individuals to care for and respect the blind.

Observation; Education and Information (Section 4)

• White Cane Safety Day should be appropriately observed.
• The Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the Department of Health, and the Philippine Information Agency are responsible for conducting a continuing education and information campaign.
• The campaign aims to achieve the purposes stated in Section Three of the Act.

Government Agencies; Rules and Regulations (Section 5)

• The Department of Education, Culture and Sports, in consultation with the Department of Health and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, will issue rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.

Effectivity (Section 6)

• The Act will take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

Additional Information

• The Act was approved on September 18, 1989.
• It was published in Malaya on September 26, 1989, and in the Official Gazette on October 16, 1989.