DOT MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 2017 – 02 Series of 2017

GUIDELINES ON THE PROVISION OF THE EXPANDED BENEFITS AND

PRIVILEGES TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITY PURSUANT TO REPUBLIC ACT 10754

OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “MAGNA CARTA FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY

WHEREAS,  on 23 March 2016,  Republic Act No. 10754,  entitled “An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability,” was enacted to further amend Republic Act No. 7277 to provide additional benefits and privileges to persons with disability (PWD).

WHEREAS, Section 32 of RA 7277, as further amended, provides for at least twenty percent (20%) discount and exemption from the value-added tax (VAT), if applicable, on the following sale of goods and services for the exclusive use and enjoyment or availment of the PWD:

  • On the fees and charges relative to the utilization of all services in hotels and similar lodging establishments; restaurant and recreation centers;
  • On admission fees charged by theaters, cinema houses, concert halls, circuses, carnivals and other similar places of culture, leisure and amusement;
  • On medical and dental services including diagnostic and laboratory fees, and professional fees of attending doctors in all private hospitals and medical facilities, in accordance with the rules and regulations to be issued by the DOH, in coordination with the PhilHealth; and,
  • On fare for domestic land, air and sea travel.

WHEREAS,  the  above mentioned  privileges are available only to PWD who are Filipino citizens upon submission of his/her proof of entitlement, such as passport for persons with apparent disability, valid identification card issued by the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) or the Provincial / City / Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (P/C/MSWDO) of the place where the person with disability resides,  or transportation discount fare identification card issued by the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP).

WHEREAS, the privileges granted under RA 10754 may not be claimed if the person with disability claims a higher discount as may be granted by the commercial establishment and/or under existing laws or in combination with other discount program/s. Likewise, in cases where the person with disability is also a senior citizen entitled to a 20% discount under his/her valid senior citizen identification card (ID), the person with disability shall use either his/her PWD ID Card or Senior Citizen ID card to avail of the 20% discount.

NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the above premises,  all  Department of Tourism (DOT) accredited accommodation establishments, except homestays, restaurants,  recreation centers,  ambulatory  clinics,  and tourist land, water and air transport  services   are  hereby  directed  to  comply  with  the  pertinent  provisions of Republic Act No. 10754.

Failure to comply therewith may constitute a ground for the review of the concerned establishment’s DOT accreditation in accordance with its Rules and Regulations on Accreditation without prejudice to its liability under the penal provisions of RA 10754 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.

City of Makati, Philippines, 06 March 2017

(Original Signed)
WANDA CORAZON TEO
Secretary