Pwd and Senior Citizen-friendly Tourism Sites Act

TWEENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session JUL -9 P5:15 SENATE p... S. No._ Introduced by SENATOR CAMILLE VILLAR AN ACT MANDATING ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSIVITY IN ALL TOURISM SITES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY AND SENIOR CITIZENS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE The 1987 Constitution recognizes the family's duty to care for its elderly, and empowers the State to assist in this duty through varied programs and aids for social security.' It further mandates the State, under Section 10 of the Declaration of Principles and State Policies, to provide social justice in all phases of national development.2 Furthermore, Article XIII, Section 11 requires the State to adopt a comprehensive approach to health, ensuring essential goods, health services, and other social support available at affordable costs, prioritizing the underprivileged, the sick, the elderly, persons with disabilities, women, and children. According to a study by the World Health Organization, approximately 1.3 billion people - about 16% of the world's total population - have significant disabilities.? This figure underscores the urgent need to promote accessible tourism, particularly for those with disabilities, as well as for the growing elderly population who, like those with disabilities, increasingly face mobility challenges. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) estimates that over 1 billion persons with disabilities, along with more than 2 billion family members ' Article XV, Section 4 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution 2 Article ll of the 1987 Philippine Constitution 3 https://www.unwto.org/accessibility

and caregivers, are impacted by numerous accessibility challenges in travel. Despite representing nearly a third of the global population, this demographic is frequently underserved due to inaccessible facilities and discriminatory policies.* Accessible tourism is about inclusivity and enabling full participation. Catering to this need is not only a human rights imperative, but also an opportunity for sustainable tourism growth. Accessible destinations, services, and infrastructure must include everything from barrier-free pathways to public and private facilities, and ramps or elevators to ensure access to higher levels. At the international level, Article 9 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which the Philippines ratified in 2008, obliges State Parties to ensure equal access to the physical environment, transportation, information, and public facilities. Article 30 further reaffirms the right to participate in tourism, culture, recreation, leisure, and sports, and calls for State parties to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy the benefits of tourism. Accessibility is equally vital for older individuals and those temporarily immobile - providing independence, social inclusion, and safety across their lifespan. This proposed bill aims to ensure that all tourism sites are accessible - particularly for persons with disabilities and senior citizens. By mandating inclusive pathways, facilities, and services, the State affirms the societal value of these groups, promotes sustainable tourism, and supports inclusive economic growth. Thus, the approval of this bill is earnestly requested. CAMILLE VILLAR * https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/issues/promoting-accessible-tourism-for-all.html

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 JUL -9 P5:15 First Regular Session SENATE S. No. _ Introduced by SENATOR CAMILLE VILLAR AN ACT MANDATING ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSIVITY IN ALL TOURISM SITES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY AND SENIOR CITIZENS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: ARTICLE I GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the "PWD and Senior Citizen-

Friendly Tourism Sites Act".

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to give full support

6 to the improvement of the total well-being of persons with disabilities and senior citizens and their integration into the mainstream of society. Additionally, it is a policy of the State to promote the accessibility of tourism sites to persons with disability (PWD) and senior citizens (SC).

Sec. 3. Scope and Coverage. - As used in this Act, tourism sites refer to cultural

or natural heritage sites, museums, national parks, agro-industrial and ecotourism sites, wildlife areas, and all tourism sites or spots declared by or pursuant to existing laws.

Sec. 4. Accessible and Inclusive PWD and Senior Citizen Tourism Sites. —The

Department of Tourism (DOT), in coordination with the Department of Public Works 3 and Highways, National Council on Disability Affairs, National Commission of Senior 4 Citizens, entities having control, supervision or administration of tourism sites, and 5 relevant stakeholders, shall ensure that: a) All tourism sites are equipped with physical infrastructure facilities that are PWD and Senior Citizen-friendly. All facilities to be constructed, rehabilitated or 8 repaired must be compliant with the infrastructure standards set forth in this Act, or 9 other applicable laws; b) Physical infrastructure includes components within and outside the tourism sites. This includes but is not limited to signages, accessible entrances, corridors, toilets with grab bars, switches and controls ramps, elevators, accessible information desks, water taps, emergency exits as well as outdoor facilities like roads and footpaths necessary to reach the tourism areas; c) There shall be regular awareness programs, seminars and trainings of professional staff capable of informing and advising about accessibility issues and concerns; and d) PWD and Senior Citizen-friendly activities are included in all tourism policies, programs and plans of the DOT.

Sec. 5. Tourism Development Plan. - The DOT and entities having control,

supervision or administration of tourism sites shall prepare a development plan involving the construction, installation, and maintenance of such appropriate facilities and infrastructure which shall provide or enhance PWD and Senior Citzen-friendly tourism sites. Provided, that such plan shall preserve and conserve the natural beauty of the tourism sites.

Sec. 6. Non-impairment Clause. - Nothing in this Act shall be construed as to

diminish, impair, or repeal rights recognized, granted, or made available to disadvantaged, marginalized, or specific sectors under existing laws.

Sec. 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation

of this Act shall be charged to the appropriations of the Department of Tourism. 3 Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within six (6) months from the

effectivity of this Act, the DOT, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways, National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), National Commission of Senior Citizens, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Department of 9 Environment and Natural Resources, and other relevant stakeholders, shall 10 promulgate rules and regulations necessary for its implementation.

Sec. 9. Separability Clause. -Should any provision or part of this Act be

declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions and parts thereof, insofar as they are separable from the invalid ones, shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,

memoranda, circulars, and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. Approved,