EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC
OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
;
{fA* -l i e
ID“ ,arp
f
SENATr ^ n r
S.B . NO.
CU J
•10
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
Mil
17 P2 ■•46
it
AN ACT
IMPROVING ACCESS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITY TO PUBLIC AND
PRIVATE FACILITIES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT
NO. 7277 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MAGNA CARTA FOR DISABLED
PERSONS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Persons with Disability ("PWD") are one of the most vulnerable sectors in the
Philippine society. The fact that many of the PWDs are living in poverty and the
existence of systemic discrimination against them in the work place, among other
institutions, prompted Congress to enact the Magna Carta for Persons with
Disability ("Magna Carta").
The Magna Carta has since undergone several changes in view o f the efforts of
Congress to safeguard the rights and interests of PWDs and to address problems
encountered in the implementation of the Magna Carta.
In the past, a mall chain was accused of discriminatory practices committed
against a particular class of PWD. It appears that said mall had barred the entry
of a PWD on the ground that he had in his company a guide animal, which is not
allowed within the mall premises. Although the dog is not known as a vicious
breed, the mall argued that there is still a risk to the safety of other mall patrons.
Instead of trying to understand the condition of the PWD, the mall requested the