QC ordinance makes it mandatory to provide seats for PWDs, seniors, pregnant women

By Chito Chavez

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista approved an ordinance that compels all establishments in the city to provide courtesy seats for persons with disability (PWDs), pregnant women and senior citizens.

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista (FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN)

Ordinance No. 2804, S-2018, introduced by Councilors Donato C. Matias and Franz S. Pumaren, states that courtesy seats in all establishments in QC must be provided to give PWDs, pregnant women, and senior citizens better safety and comfort.

Despite the existence of national laws and other ordinances establishing special lanes and other privileges for the said sectors, there is still a need to extend additional reasonable accommodation in all private and public establishments in keeping with their special needs and concerns, the measure explains.

All establishments will also have to provide courtesy seat signage, it adds. When the designated seats are occupied by other persons, they are to give up their seats, the new ordinance orders.

Owners, managers, and operators of private establishments who fail to implement the new policy shall receive a notice of warning for the first offense.

A fine of PhP5,000.00 and/or a six month suspension of business permit on the second offense and a fine of PhP5,000.00 and/or revocation of business permit on the third offense shall be meted out to establishments found in violation of the ordinance.

All government institutions within QC shall also receive a warning from the Quezon City Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) and the Social Services Development Department (SSDD) for the first offense and corresponding penalties for subsequent offenses.