MANILA — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Friday called on all business establishments to ensure that persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, and other priority groups are given access to designated parking spaces, regardless of the type of vehicle they use.

“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,” DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said.

The statement comes after a netizen expressed frustration over being denied use of a priority parking slot by security guards of two establishments in Paseo De Sta. Rosa, Laguna. The netizen was driving an e-tricycle and was accompanied by her child and sister—both of whom are persons with disabilities.

The Subcommittee on Accessibility on Built Environment and Transportation (SCABET), under the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA)—an attached agency of the DSWD—described the incident as “insensitive and discriminatory,” adding that it violates 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 (IRR), 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. BP 344 does not specify any distinction on the type of vehicle allowed to use the allocated persons with disability parking slots, therefore, e-tricycle is not prohibited from parking in these areas,” the NCDA-SCABET said.

Dumlao said the DSWD supports the NCDA’s call for local government units (LGUs) to pass local ordinances reinforcing BP 344 implementation.

“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 said.

In a related statement, the DSWD also reiterated its call to the public to respect the legal benefits and privileges of PWDs—regardless of whether their disabilities are visible or not.