A RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING ALL GOVERNMENTS OFFICES, AGENCIES AND PRIVATE

INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS WITH BUILDINGS LOCATED IN THE DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE
MUNICIPALITY TO STRICTLY COMPLY WITH THE PERTINENT PROVISIONS OF BATAS
PAMBANSA (BP) 344, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ACCESSIBILITY LAW.

WHEREAS, Batas Pambansa (BP) 344 or the Accessibility Law was enacted in 1983 to
promote the realization of the rights of persons with disabilities to participate fully in the social
life and the development of the societies in which they live in for the full enjoyment of the
opportunities available to other citizens;

WHEREAS, this is to help enhance the mobility of persons with disabilities by requiring
certain structures to install facilities and other devices necessary for the purpose;

WHEREAS, this measure is imperative for the local government to start the compliance
of its existing structures to the Accessibility Law, thus, concerned offices have been given a
two-year period to ensure that all municipal-owned buildings are compliant to the accessibility
provisions enshrined in existing laws, rules and regulations.

WHEREAS, Further, the resolution noted that the Philippines is a State party to the United
Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities in 2008, thus, all government
and private buildings must strictly comply with the provisions of the Accessibility Law which is
geared towards improving the mobility of persons with disabilities around structures when
transacting business.

In the city, Yangot claimed there are alarming reports that some government and private offices
located in buildings are not yet compliant with BP 344 making it burdensome for persons with
disabilities and even with senior citizens to transact business thereby automatically depriving
them of essential services and ultimately participating fully in social life and the development of
the societies in which they live in.

BP 344 or the Accessibility Law was enacted in 1983 to promote the realization of the rights of
persons with disabilities to participate fully in the social life and the development of the societies
in which they live in for the full enjoyment of the opportunities available to other citizens.

Moreover, the law expressly provides no license or permit for the construction, repair or
renovation of public and private buildings for public use, educational institutions, airports, sports
and recreation centers and complexes, shopping centers or establishments, public parking places,
workplaces, public utilities, will be granted or issued unless the owner or operator shall install
and incorporate in such building, establishment, institution or public utility, such architectural
facilities or structural features or shall reasonably enhance the mobility of disabled persons such
as sidewalks, ramps, railings and the like.

The resolution will be transmitted to the concerned government agencies and owners of public
and private buildings for their information and further needed action in compliance to existing
laws, rules and regulations