There is still less awareness of the general public about Republic Act No. 6759 series of 1989 as the White Cane Act. This law declares August 1 of each year as White Cane Safety Day.

It is the policy of the state to promote and protect the physical, moral and social well- being of all handicapped persons, such as the blind and to undertake studies on specific causes of the high percentage of blind people in the Philippines. August 1 of each year is hereby declared as White Cane Safety Day for the purpose of instilling public awareness on the plight of the blind, promoting recognition and acceptance of the “white cane” as a symbol of the need of the blind for specific assistance and as a reminder of the individual’s duty to care and accord due respects to his unfortunate brethren.

The latest household assessment of the Listahanan revealed that there are 8,194 poor individuals in Bicol with disability and functional disabilities on seeing. This is where the importance of the cane will come in.

Cane is an important assistive device, thus the proper use of the cane must be taught to them and even to the sighted guide.

The observance of the white cane day aims to:

1. To instill public awareness of the plight of blind people.
2. To promote recognition and acceptance of the white cane as a symbol of the inability of a blind person.
3. To serve as a reminder of the duty of the public to accord due respect to the blind.
4. To promote and protect the physical, moral and social well-being of blind persons.

“White Cane is an international symbol for the blind.” ###eejerusalem