NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
DSWD Urges Establishments To Uphold Inclusive Priority Parking For PWDs And Seniors, Regardless Of Vehicle Type
FILE
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has called on all business establishments to ensure that priority parking spaces remain accessible to persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, and other priority sectors — regardless of the type of vehicle they use.
In a statement released Friday (July 11), DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao reminded establishments that the primary consideration for priority parking should always be the needs and rights of the individuals aboard the vehicle, not the model or kind of vehicle itself.
“While the DSWD acknowledges that most business establishments already have reserved parking spaces for priority groups, including persons with disabilities, we want to reiterate that the priority should not be based on the model or type of vehicle, but on the needs and rights of the persons aboard the vehicle,” Dumlao said.
The reminder came after a netizen publicly shared her frustration over being prevented from parking her e-tricycle in designated priority slots at two establishments in Paseo De Sta. Rosa, Laguna. She was accompanying her child and sister, both of whom are PWDs, when security personnel denied her access to the reserved spaces.
The incident was criticized by the Subcommittee on Accessibility on Built Environment and Transportation (SCABET) of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), which operates under the DSWD. SCABET described the guards’ actions as “insensitive and discriminatory,” and in violation of Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 and Republic Act No. 7277, or the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities.
“Under BP 344 and its amended implementing rules and regulations, accessible parking spaces are mandated to be inclusive, ensuring safe and convenient access for individuals with mobility limitations — whether due to physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments,” SCABET explained in a separate statement. “The law does not make any distinction as to the type of vehicle allowed to use these slots. Therefore, parking an e-tricycle in these areas is not prohibited.”
DSWD emphasized that it fully supports the NCDA’s call for local government units (LGUs) to pass ordinances that reinforce and localize the implementation of BP 344.
“Through the support of LGUs, we hope that more establishments will ensure that non-discriminatory priority parking policies are in place, in order to provide reasonable accommodation and accessibility to all vulnerable and disadvantaged sectors,” Dumlao added.
In a related appeal, the DSWD also urged the public to respect the legal benefits and privileges granted to PWDs, noting that these apply regardless of the type or visibility of a person’s disability.
The department underscored that accessibility and inclusion are not merely legal obligations but also moral responsibilities shared by the entire community — a step toward creating a society where no one is left behind.
In a statement released Friday (July 11), DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao reminded establishments that the primary consideration for priority parking should always be the needs and rights of the individuals aboard the vehicle, not the model or kind of vehicle itself.
“While the DSWD acknowledges that most business establishments already have reserved parking spaces for priority groups, including persons with disabilities, we want to reiterate that the priority should not be based on the model or type of vehicle, but on the needs and rights of the persons aboard the vehicle,” Dumlao said.
The reminder came after a netizen publicly shared her frustration over being prevented from parking her e-tricycle in designated priority slots at two establishments in Paseo De Sta. Rosa, Laguna. She was accompanying her child and sister, both of whom are PWDs, when security personnel denied her access to the reserved spaces.
The incident was criticized by the Subcommittee on Accessibility on Built Environment and Transportation (SCABET) of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), which operates under the DSWD. SCABET described the guards’ actions as “insensitive and discriminatory,” and in violation of Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 and Republic Act No. 7277, or the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities.
“Under BP 344 and its amended implementing rules and regulations, accessible parking spaces are mandated to be inclusive, ensuring safe and convenient access for individuals with mobility limitations — whether due to physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments,” SCABET explained in a separate statement. “The law does not make any distinction as to the type of vehicle allowed to use these slots. Therefore, parking an e-tricycle in these areas is not prohibited.”
DSWD emphasized that it fully supports the NCDA’s call for local government units (LGUs) to pass ordinances that reinforce and localize the implementation of BP 344.
“Through the support of LGUs, we hope that more establishments will ensure that non-discriminatory priority parking policies are in place, in order to provide reasonable accommodation and accessibility to all vulnerable and disadvantaged sectors,” Dumlao added.
In a related appeal, the DSWD also urged the public to respect the legal benefits and privileges granted to PWDs, noting that these apply regardless of the type or visibility of a person’s disability.
The department underscored that accessibility and inclusion are not merely legal obligations but also moral responsibilities shared by the entire community — a step toward creating a society where no one is left behind.
Jul 11, 2025
We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations.
Interested? Visit our
Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.
