JOINT MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 2018 – 001

TO: ALL AIRLINE OPERATORS AND AIRPORT GROUND HANDLERS

SUBJECT: INSTALLATION OF ACCESSIBLE PASSENGER BOARDING RAMPS/AIRCRAFT STAIRS FOR PWDs AND SENIOR CITIZENS

DATE: 21 February 2018

Republic Act (R.A.). 7277, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, as amended, provides that the state shall promote the mobility of persons with disabilities (PWD) and guarantee indiscriminate access to public transportation, providing accessibility features such as ramps, signage, and stickers in terminals, stations, or depot. Likewise, R.A. 9994, otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, requires that senior citizens are given assistance to fully gain access to public transport facilities.

The International Civil Aviation Organization, through ICAO Document No. 9984 or the Manual on Access to Air Transport by Persons with Disabilities, recommends that airport and aircraft operators, including ground handlers, should ensure that boarding equipment that provides for the safe and dignified boarding and disembarking of persons with disabilities is available for their use at terminals.

In this regard, and to ensure the safety of PWDs and senior citizens in boarding and disembarking an aircraft in the course of their travels, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), the Clark International Airport Authority (CIAC), and the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA), enjoins all airline operators, including ground handlers, to install and use PWD and Senior Citizen accessible Passenger Boarding Ramps for all their aircrafts.

This Joint Memorandum Circular shall take effect immediately.

For compliance.

SGD. ARTHUR P. TUGADE
Secretary
Department of Transportation

SGD.CAPTAIN JIM C. SYDIONGCO
Director General
Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines

SGD.ATTY. CARMELO L. ARCILLA
Executive Director
Civil Aeronautics Board

SGD.ALEXANDER S. CAUGUIRAN
Acting President and Chief Executive Officer
Clark International Airport

SGD.EDDIE V. MONREAL
General Manager
Manila International Airport Authority

SGD.ATTY. STEVE Y. DICDICAN
General Manager
Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority