Councilor Edison Bilog has proposed an ordinance requiring all tourism sites, facilities, and services in Baguio City to be fully accessible to persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens to remove barriers, improve safety, and ensure equal opportunity for all visitors.
Under the proposed ordinance, all tourism-related establishments in Baguio including parks, heritage sites, hotels, restaurants, transport terminals, museums, and other public or private facilities are mandated to provide physical accessibility features such as ramps, non-slip pathways, handrails, elevators or platform lifts for multi-level buildings, and reserved seating areas for PWDs and senior citizens. Accessible sanitation facilities must also be installed, with proper dimensions and fixtures to accommodate all users.
Clear, visible signage is required throughout all establishments, with Braille signs and audio or digital assistance systems implemented where feasible. Safety measures including accessible emergency exits, hazard-free walkways, and adequate lighting must be ensured to protect vulnerable visitors.
Personnel in all tourism establishments are required to undergo training in disability awareness, sensitivity, basic assistance techniques for PWDs and the elderly, and emergency response procedures. The City Tourism Office, together with the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) and the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), will facilitate these capacity-building programs.
Tourism establishments that fully comply with or exceed accessibility standards may receive recognition awards, priority in accreditation and promotion, and potential tax incentives in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
Non-compliance with the ordinance will result in penalties, including written warnings, fines, and in severe or repeated cases, possible suspension of business permits, all subject to due process.
The City Tourism Office, in coordination with PDAO, OSCA, and the City Engineering Office, will oversee the implementation, monitoring, and enforcement of these provisions.
The proposed ordinance has been approved on first reading by the Baguio City Council and referred to the Committee on Tourism, Special Events, Parks, and Playgrounds for review. **Jordan G. Habbiling
