DOT MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 2011-04

Series of 2011

ADOPTING THE GUIDELINES ON THE GRANT OF SPECIAL DISCOUNTS TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9442

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 9442 also known as the “Magna Carta for Disabled Persons and for Other Purposes was signed into law on 30 April 2007 amending Republic Act 7277 and granting other privileges and incentives to persons with disabilities;

WHEREAS, Chapter 8, Section 32 of Republic Act 9442 provides the entitlement of at least twenty percent (20%) discount to persons with disabilities for their exclusive use of enjoyment to the following:

  • Utilization of all services in hotels and similar lodging establishments, restaurants and recreation centers;
  • Admission fees charged by theaters, cinema houses, concert halls, circuses, carnivals and other similar places   of culture, leisure and amusement;
  • Medical and dental services, diagnostic and laboratory tests in all private hospitals and medical facilities including professional fees of doctor/s; and
  • Transportation fare for domestic land, air and sea travel.

WHEREAS, the aforementioned privileges are available only to persons with disabilities and who are Filipino citizens upon presenting proof of his/her entitlement, such as passport or valid identification card issued by the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) or by the authorized office of the Local Government Units (LGUs) where he/she resides. However, such privileges may not be claimed if the persons with disability claims a higher discount as may be granted by the commercial establishment and/or under other existing laws or in combination with other discount programs/s.

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the above premises, all Department of Tourism (DOT) accredited restaurants, hotels, tourists inns, apartels, pension houses, resorts and similar lodging establishments, tertiary hospitals, ambulatory clinics, spas, sports and recreational clubs/centers, museums, galleries, tourist land, water and air transport operators, are hereby directed to comply with the pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 9442, AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7277, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “MAGNA CARTA FOR DISABLED PERSONS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”.

Failure to comply with the grant of such benefits and privileges stated herein shall be a ground for the REVIEW of your DOT accreditation under this Department’s Rules and Regulations on Accreditation without prejudice to said establishment’s liability as stated in the penal provisions of RA No. 9442 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.

Manila, Philippines. 11 February 2011

ORIGINAL SIGNED
ALBERTO A. LIM
Secretary