PROPOSED LOCAL LEGISLATION

The ordinance, authored by Hon. Wilfredo Jude A. Diokno, Hon. Angelina Balatero, and Hon. Alexandria Rae C. Go, requires the installation of tactile paving—textured ground surfaces that provide guidance and warnings to the visually impaired—in key public areas.

Key Provisions and Scope

• Mandated Locations: The ordinance applies to the Naga City Hall compound, Naga City General Hospital (NCGH), city-owned plazas (including Plaza Quezon, Plaza Rizal, and Quince Martires Plaza), and public transportation terminals like bus, jeepney, and train stations.
• Compliance: The installation of tactile paving must adhere to the Minimum Requirements for Accessibility outlined in the 2024 Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Batas Pambansa Bilang 344 (BP 344).
• Definitions: The ordinance defines key terms, including “blind,” “visual disability,” and “visually impaired”.
• Implementation: The project will be implemented in phases starting in fiscal year 2026 and is expected to be 100% complete by fiscal year 2027-2028.
• Funding: The City Mayor is authorized to allocate necessary funds from the City’s General Fund.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO): Acts as a consultant to ensure the paving meets the needs of beneficiaries, launches public information campaigns, and identifies additional public spaces for installation.
• City Engineer’s Office (CEO): Prepares the implementation plan, ensures compliance with standards, and is responsible for the installation, maintenance, and repair of the tactile paving.