Television networks in the country may soon be required to place sub-titles or closed caption to their programs for the benefit of person with hearing disability.

Reps. Irwin Tieng and Mariano Michael Velarde (Party-list, BUHAY), authors of House Bill 6688, said the sub-titles or captions will help in the development of reading and literacy skills of viewers not only those with hearing disabilities.

"Closed caption are text descriptions of the speech, music and sound effects of a television program. Although closed captioning provides a critical link to news, entertainment and information for individuals with hearing disabilities," Tieng said.

Those which are not covered by the bill are public service announcements that are shorter than 10 minutes, programs shown in the early morning hours from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. and programs that are primarily textual in nature.

Violators will be penalized with fines, imprisonment or cancelation of permit to operate.*