Republic of the Philippines

PROVINCE OF MASBATE
CITY OF MASBATE

OFFICE OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD

From the desk of Hon. Rodolfo C. Abella
City Councilor

PROPOSED ORDINANCE NO. 019 - 2022

AN ORDINANCE MANDATING ALL PRIVATE AND PUBLIC ESTABLISHMENTS LOCATED WITHIN THE TERRITORIAL
JURISDICTION IN THE CITY OF MASBATE TO PROVIDE COURTESY SEATS TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITY,
PREGNANT WOMEN AND SENIOR CITIZENS AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF
WHEREAS, Section 16 of Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, empowers the Local
Government unit to enact and implement measures for the general well-being of their inhabitants;
WHEREAS, Section 11, Article XII of the 1987 constitution empowers the state to give priority for the needs of the underprivileged
sick, elderly, women and children;
WHEREAS, under Section 1 (B) of Republic Act No. 10070 amending Republic Act No. 7277, otherwise known as the “Magna
Carta for Disabled Persons”, the LGU’s are mandated to organize a Person with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) which
shall formulate and implement policies, plans and programs for the promotion of the welfare of PWD’s in coordination
with concerned national and local agencies;
WHEREAS, although there are already national laws and ordinances establishing special laws and other privileges for PWD’s,
pregnant women and senior citizens, there is still a need to extend reasonable accommodation in all private and public
establishments in keeping with their needs and concerns;
WHEREAS, this ordinance seeks to mandate the designation of courtesy seats for the PWD’s, pregnant women and senior citizens
in major private and public establishments located within the territorial jurisdiction of the City of Masbate for better
access, safety and comfort.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Masbate in session duly assembled,
that:
SECTION 1. Title. This Ordinance shall be known as the “Courtesy Seats for PWD’s, Pregnant Women and Senior
Citizens Ordinance of the City of Masbate”
SECTION 2. Coverage. All major private and public establishments located within the territorial jurisdiction of the City of
Masbate.
SECTION 3. Declaration of Policy. This ordinance is consistent with the provision of the Constitution to empower the
state to give priority for the needs of the under privileged sick, elderly, disabled, women and children.
In connection with the policy and pursuant to the Local Government Code of 1991, it is the policy of the City
Government of Masbate to recognize the need to provide courtesy seats for PWD’s, pregnant women and
senior citizens in all major private and public establishments located within the territorial jurisdiction of the
City of Masbate, to afford reasonable accommodation to the above-mentioned persons who undoubtedly
deserve special treatment, compassion and courtesy to their condition.
SECTION 4. Definition of Terms.
a. Courtesy Seat Signage - is a sign which indicate that certain seats are priority seats for persons with
disability, pregnant women and senior citizens, and that others should make such seats available.
b. Major Private and Public Establishments – refers to private and public establishments allowing seats for
the queuing (waiting area) of its customers and clients such as shopping malls, department stores,
book stores, groceries, banks, payment/remittances centers, financial and lending institutions,
hospitals, clinics, diagnostic laboratories, beauty and grooming shops, private and public transport
terminals, restaurants, fast food establishments, hotels and accommodation facilities, cinemas, parks
and recreations/amusement centers, City Government offices and Barangay Government Units and
National Government Offices/Agencies.
c. Persons with Disability (PWD’s) – shall refer to those suffering from restrictions of different abilities as a
result of a mental, physical or sensory impairment, to perform as activity in the manner or within the
range considered normal for human being.
d. Pregnant Women – shall refer to women who are expecting to deliver a child or children.
e. Senior Citizens – shall refer to any resident-citizen of the Philippines who are sixty (60) years old and
above.
f. Pharmacy – means a place of business where drugs and devices may be sold at retail.
g. Boutique – a small shop or a small specialty department within a larger store, especially one that sells
fashionable clothes and accessories or a special selection of other merchandise.
SECTION 5. Mandatory Requirement. All establishment mentioned in (b) of the preceding section are hereby directed to
designate a minimum of three (3) “courtesy seats” for PWD’s, pregnant women and senior citizens.
SECTION 6. Courtesy Seats Signage. All establishments covered by this ordinance must post a courtesy seat signage
similar to the following: for senior citizens, PWD’s and pregnant women.
Page 1 of 2
FOR 2nd READING_ Proposed Ordinance No. 019 - 2022
SECTION 7. Designation of Courtesy Seats. Courtesy seating is intended to provide additional seating purposely for
PWD’s, pregnant women and senior citizens.
In case the designated courtesy seats are being occupied by persons not belonging to the foregoing group,
they must vacate the said courtesy seats, respect its purpose and give up the seats to any PWD, pregnant
woman or senior citizen.
SECTION 8. Penalty. The following penalties shall be imposed upon the operator, manager and/or owner of the
establishments who shall fail to designate courtesy seats for the PWD’s, pregnant women and senior
citizens:
First Offense - Notice of Violation or Warning
Second Offense - Fine of Two Thousand Pesos (Php 2,000.00)
Third and Succeeding Offenses - Fine of Five Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000.00) and
suspension of business permit. Lifting of the
suspension shall be recommended by the Business
Permit Licensing Office upon full compliance by the
business establishment

For all government institutions within the City of Masbate, including city-owned facilities, a notice/warning
from the City of Masbate Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), Persons with Disability Affairs Office
(PDAO) and Social Welfare and Development Office shall be issued to the head of office or department who
fail to designate courtesy seats.
The mechanism on issuing notice/warning shall also be included in the implementing rules and regulations.
SECTION 9. Enforcement. The following offices shall, within thirty (30) days after the effectivity of this ordinance,
formulate the necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation and are hereby tasked to
monitor and inspect the strict compliance of all establishment covered by this ordinance.
a. City Social Welfare and Development office (CSWO)
b. Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO)
c. Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA)
d. Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO)
e. City Engineer’s Office
f. City Legal Office
SECTION 10. Incorporation Clause. All existing ordinances related and not inconsistent of the purpose for which this
ordinance has been passed and approved are deemed incorporated.
SECTION 11. Separability Clause. If any provision/s of this Ordinance or the application of such provision/s to any person
or circumstances is declared invalid, the remainder of the Ordinance or the application of such provision/s to
other person/s or circumstances shall not be affected by such declaration.
SECTION 12. Effectivity Clause. This Ordinance shall take effect after compliance of the publication requirement as
provided for under Republic Act No. 7160 or the “Local Government Code of 1991”.
PROPOSED. ________________________
X-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X

RODOLFO C. ABELLA
City Councilor/ Author

Page 2 of 2
FOR 2nd READING_ Proposed Ordinance No. 019 - 2022