TWEENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 JIJL -9 P5 :15
SENATE
330
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.1 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.3 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
1 Article XV, Section 4 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution
2 Article II 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.4
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
4 https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/issues/promoting-accessible-tourism-for-ali.html


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
2!3 J!1 -9 P5 :15
S. No
SENATE
330
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
1
2
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
3 
Section 1. Short Tide. This Act shall be known as the "PWD and Senior Citizen-
4 
Friendly Tourism Sites Act".
5 
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
7 
citizens and their integration into the mainstream of society. Additionally, it is a policy
8 
of the State to promote the accessibility of tourism sites to persons with disability
9 
(PWD) and senior citizens (SC).
10 
Sec. 3. Scope and Coverage. — As used in this Act, tourism sites refer to cultural
11 
or natural heritage sites, museums, national parks, agro-industrial and ecotourism
12 
sites, wildlife areas, and all tourism sites or spots declared by or pursuant to existing
13 
laws.


1 
Sec. 4. Accessible and Inclusive PWD and Senior Citizen Tourism Sites. —The
2 
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:
6 
a) 
All tourism sites are equipped with physical infrastructure facilities that
7 
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;
10 
b) 
Physical infrastructure includes components within and outside the
11 
tourism sites. This includes but is not limited to signages, accessible entrances,
12 
corridors, toilets with grab bars, switches and controls ramps, elevators, accessible
13 
information desks, water taps, emergency exits as well as outdoor facilities like roads
14 
and footpaths necessary to reach the tourism areas;
15 
c) 
There shall be regular awareness programs, seminars and trainings of
16 
professional staff capable of informing and advising about accessibility issues and
17 
concerns; and
18 
d) 
PWD and Senior Citizen-friendly activities are included in all tourism
19 
policies, programs and plans of the DOT.
20 
Sec. 5. Tourism Development Plan. — The DOT and entities having control,
21 
supervision or administration of tourism sites shall prepare a development plan
22 
involving the construction, installation, and maintenance of such appropriate facilities
23 
and infrastructure which shall provide or enhance PWD and Senior Citzen-friendly
24 
tourism sites. Provided, that such plan shall preserve and conserve the natural beauty
25 
of the tourism sites.
26 
Sec. 6. Non-impairment Clause. — Nothing in this Act shall be construed as to
27 
diminish, impair, or repeal rights recognized, granted, or made available to
28 
disadvantaged, marginalized, or specific sectors under existing laws.


1 
Sec. 7. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the initial implementation
2 
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
4 
included in the General Appropriations Act.
5 
Sec. 8. Impiementing Ruies and Regulations. - Within six (6) months from the
6 
effectivity of this Act, the DOT, in coordination with the Department of Public Works
7 
and Highways, National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), National Commission of
8 
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.
11 
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. —Should any provision or part of this Act be
12 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions and parts thereof, insofar as
13 
they are separable from the invalid ones, shall remain in full force and effect.
14 
Sec. 10. Repeating Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
15 
memoranda, circulars, and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent
16 
with the Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
17 
Sec. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) days after its
18 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general
19 
circulation.
20
Approved,