Full TEXT:

ORDINANCE NO. 2026-018

AN ORDINANCE MANDATING THE INSTALLATION OF TACTILE PAVING IN THE NAGA CITY HALL COMPOUND, THE NAGA CITY GENERAL HOSPITAL, PLAZAS, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TERMINALS, AND OTHER DESIGNATED ROUTES AND AREAS FREQUENTED BY PEOPLE WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS IN THE CITY OF NAGA TO ENSURE ACCESSIBILITY FOR PERSONS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT:-

Authors:

City Councilor Wilfredo Jude A. Diokno City Youth Councilor Angelina F. Balatero City Youth Councilor Alexandria Rae C. Go

WHEREAS, according to Article XIII, Section 13 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, “the State shall establish a special agency for disabled persons for their rehabilitation, self-development, and self-reliance, and their integration into the mainstream of society”;

WHEREAS, Batas Pambansa Bilang 344 (BP 344), as reinforced by its 2024 Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), mandates the installation of architectural facilities and structural features, such as tactile paving, to enhance the mobility and accessibility for persons with disabilities, particularly the visually impaired;

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 7277, also known as the “Magna Carta for Persons with Disability,” as amended by Republic Act No. 10070, mandates local government units to promote the establishment of organizations of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in their respective territorial jurisdictions, particularly a Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO);

WHEREAS, pursuant to the abovementioned mandate, the City Government of Naga established its PDAO pursuant to Ordinance No. 2010-039 in order to provide a mechanism that seeks to uphold, promote, and protect the rights and welfare of PWDs in Naga City:

WHEREAS, Section 25, Chapter 6 of Republic Act no. 7277 mandates the State to ensure the attainment of a barrier-free environment that will enable disabled persons to have access in public and private buildings and establishments and such other places mentioned in Batas Pambansa Bilang 344, otherwise known as the “Accessibility Law,” thereby emphasizing the legal and moral duty of the City of Naga to allocate resources for features that promote accessibility in public and private establishments for PWDs;

WHEREAS, Section 3 of Republic Act No. 6759 declares August One of each year as White Cane Safety Day for the purposes of instilling public awareness of the plight of the blind, promoting recognition and acceptance of the “white cane” as a symbol of the need of the blind for specific assistance and as a reminder of the individual’s duty to care for and accord due respect to his unfortunate brethren;

WHEREAS, Cognizant of the fact that tactile paving enables the blind and/or visually impaired individuals to safely navigate their environment by feeding them with information that secures their movement and guides their direction in public spaces.

WHEREAS, pursuant to the aforementioned laws and regulations and in terms of accessibility requirements, public offices and spaces within the City of Naga must comply with the minimum accessibility requirements set forth in the IRR of BP 344, ensuring that public services and spaces are equally available to all citizens;

WHEREAS, the Naga City Hall compound, the Naga City General Hospital (NCGH), plazas, and public transportation terminals are high-traffic public spaces and primary spaces for transactions and services, and require tactile paving to ensure these areas are fully accessible and safe for the blind and persons with visual impairment;

WHEREAS, in pursuit of the City Government’s 2028 Finish Lines, specifically to attain an inclusive development for all Nagueños, and to further breathe life to Naga City’s reputation as a PWD-friendly city, it is essential that inclusivity should not only be confined in legal texts but should be tangibly implemented and felt by the community;

WHEREAS, there is a need to reinforce BP 344 by mandating the installation of tactile pavements in all government offices, public spaces, and sidewalks for the safety, independence, and benefit of the blind and visually impaired community.

NOW THEREFORE, be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Naga, in session assembled, that:

SECTION 1. Title. This Ordinance shall be known as “Safe Spaces for the Blind and Low Vision Ordinance of 2025”;

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared a policy of the City Government of Naga to adopt measures for the promotion, protection, and upliftment of the lives of the PWD sector, specifically those with visual disability or blind and visually impaired.

Corollary thereto, in pursuit of securing a more inclusive environment for the blind and visually impaired, it shall likewise be the policy of the City Government of Naga to ensure that tactile paving be emplaced in the Naga City Hall Compound, the Naga City General Hospital, plazas, and public transportation terminals to ensure accessibility for persons with visual disability.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Ordinance, the following terms shall mean:

a. Blind – a person whose best-corrected vision in the better eye is $6/60$ or worse, or whose visual field is twenty (20) degrees or less, as determined by a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist; blindness in only one eye, or vision better than $6/60$ without field loss, is not considered blind under this ordinance.

b. Minimum Requirements for Accessibility – refers to the technical specifications and standards stipulated in Rule II of the 2024 IRR of Batas Pambansa Bilang 344, including but not limited to dimensions, placement, and construction standards for tactile paving, ramps, corridors, signage, washrooms, and walkways designed to ensure access for persons with disability.

c. Public Office – refers to any building or facility owned, operated, or maintained by the City Government of Naga, including City Hall, barangay halls, health centers, and similar offices where official public business or services are conducted.

d. Public Space – refers to publicly-owned, open or enclosed areas intended for pedestrian use, gatherings, or transit within Naga City, such as sidewalks, parks, plazas, terminals, and other communal areas accessible to the general public.

e. Visual Disability – a person who has impairment of visual functioning even after treatment and/or standard refractive correction, with visual acuity in the better eye of less than $6/18$ (for low vision) or $3/60$ (for blind), or a visual field of less than 10 degrees from the point of fixation. Legal blindness is defined as best-corrected central visual acuity of $6/60$ or worse in the better eye, or side vision of 20 degrees or less.

f. Visually Impaired – a person who has the ability to perceive light, count fingers at a distance of three (3) meters in daylight, and who experiences limitations in performing certain visual tasks such as reading, writing, and mobility.

g. Tactile Paving – a textured ground surface installed in walkways, ramps, and other pedestrian areas to assist persons with visual impairment by providing directional guidance or hazard warnings through patterns detectable by foot or cane.

SECTION 4. Scope and Application.

A. Subject – This ordinance shall govern the installation, maintenance, and repair of tactile pavings on city-owned spaces to ensure accessibility for the blind and visually-impaired. This includes, but is not limited to, the ingress and egress of buildings, primary transaction areas, and other locations designed to warn of approaching hazards.

B. Priority Areas – The following routes and areas are regularly frequented by people with visual impairments and shall thus be given priority in the installation of tactile pavings:

a. Educational Institutions – Naga Central School 1, Naga Central School 2, Naga City Special Education (SPED) Center, Camarines Sur National High School, including the areas near their gates and access points.

b. Malls and Commercial Establishments – The surroundings and access routes to Naga City People’s Mall, Naga Land E-Mall, Master Square Department Store & Supermarket, Grand Master Mall, Robinsons Place Naga, SM City Naga, and Vista Mall.

c. Churches – The surroundings and routes to Metropolitan Naga Cathedral, San Francisco Church, and Basilica Minore.

d. Medical Facilities – The surroundings of and routes to City Health Office II and Our Lady of Lourdes Infirmary.

C. Naga City Hall Compound – This ordinance shall apply to all existing and future public offices, buildings, and walkways within the Naga City Compound, recognizing its role as the center of government services and public transactions.

D. Naga City General Hospital – The requirements of this ordinance shall extend to the NCGH to provide a safe and clear navigational system for the blind and persons with visual impairment, ensuring they can access medical services and navigate the facility with independence.

E. Plazas – The requirements of this ordinance shall apply to all city-owned plazas within the City of Naga, including but not limited to Plaza Quezon, Plaza Rizal, and Quince Martires Plaza.

F. Terminals – All public transportation terminals, such as bus, jeepney, and train stations shall be required to install and maintain tactile pavings within their premises, provided there is a flat surface suitable for the installation.

G. Other Public Offices and Public Spaces – The PDAO, in coordination with the CPDO and CEO, may determine other public offices and spaces within the City of Naga where the installation of tactile pavings are deemed appropriate and necessary.

H. Minimum Requirements for Accessibility – The construction and installation of all tactile pavings shall be in compliance with the accessibility requirements in the 2024 IRR of BP 344, Rule II Minimum Requirements for Accessibility.

SECTION 5. Roles of Offices. The following offices shall jointly coordinate with one another to ensure the effective and proper implementation of this ordinance, with each office performing its specific duties as follows:

1) Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO)

a) Shall serve as a consultant to ensure that the tactile pavings address the needs and concerns of its beneficiaries, the blind and visually impaired.

b) Shall be responsible for launching information campaigns to educate the public, government employees, and even PWDs themselves about the tactile pavings.

c) Shall identify other public spaces where the installation of tactile pavings is necessary.

2) City Engineer’s Office (CEO)

a) Shall prepare the plan for implementation and the installation of the tactile pavings in public spaces such as, but not limited to, government offices, sidewalks, and terminals;

b) Shall ensure that the tactile pavings to be installed are in compliance with the Minimum Requirements for Accessibility depicted in BP 344.

c) Shall oversee the installation of tactile paving in public spaces, such as government offices, buildings, parks, and sidewalks.

d) Shall be responsible for the maintenance and repair of the tactile pavings to ensure they remain functional and safe over time.

3) City Planning and Development Office (CPDO)

a) Is responsible for reviewing building and development plans.

b) Shall check to ensure that all proposed construction, renovation, or public space projects comply with the tactile paving requirements before issuing locational or zoning clearance.

4) Office of the City Mayor

a) Is responsible for securing and allocating the necessary funds in the city’s annual budget to ensure the project is properly implemented and maintained.

b) Shall oversee all departments involved, ensuring they coordinate effectively in the ordinance’s implementation.

SECTION 6. Implementation Phase. The implementation of this ordinance shall be carried out in a coordinated and phased manner as follows;

6.1 Planning & Design. The City Engineers Office (CEO) and Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) shall jointly formulate a comprehensive plan that includes priorities, project timelines, technical specifications, and budget estimates in accordance with the Minimum Requirements for Accessibility under the 2024 IRR of BP 344, and other relevant laws, for the installation of tactile paving in all covered government offices, public spaces. The City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) shall review the plans to ensure consistency with urban planning, zoning, and building regulations before approval.

6.2 Installation. The planning, installation, maintenance, and repair of the tactile pavings shall be done over a period of two (2) years, starting with the fiscal year 2026, according to the following schedule:

• 2026 – The CPDO, CEO, and PDAO shall ensure that a comprehensive implementation plan is developed within the year. This plan shall include priority areas, project timelines, technical specifications, and budget estimates. It shall be submitted for approval to the City Mayor, the City Development Council, and the Sangguniang Panlungsod. The first phase should be incorporated into the Annual Investment Plan and Annual Budget for 2027.
• 2027 – The first phase of the plan is funded and implemented.
• 2028 – The second and final phase of the plan is funded and implemented.

6.3 Inspection and Compliance. The CPDO, CEO, and representatives from PDAO, particularly individuals with visual impairments, shall conduct regular and coordinated bi-annual inspections to ensure that all installations comply with approved plans and the Minimum Requirements for Accessibility, and any deviations or non-compliance shall be corrected immediately by the implementing office, as applicable. In addition, an access audit must be conducted by a composite team composed of both technical personnel and persons with disabilities who use these accessibility features. This team shall be responsible for maintenance, monitoring, and reporting.

6.4 Maintenance and Monitoring. The CEO and PDAO shall ensure the proper maintenance and repair of all tactile pavings in public spaces to guarantee that they remain functional, safe, and comply with accessibility standards.

6.5 Reporting and Accountability. The PDAO, in coordination with the CEO, shall monitor progress and report quarterly to the Office of the City Mayor, detailing completed installations, areas pending, maintenance requirements, and any issues encountered.

SECTION 7. Funding. The City shall appropriate the necessary funds to ensure the proper implementation, maintenance, and repair of the tactile pavings in all government offices and public spaces. The initial appropriation shall be included in the Annual Budget starting in the fiscal year 2026.

The funds for this project shall be sourced from the City’s General Fund and the Local Development Fund. The City Mayor is hereby authorized to allocate the necessary amount from the annual budget to support the objectives of this ordinance.

SECTION 8. Prohibitions. The following are considered unlawful actions and constitute a violation of this ordinance:

A) Obstruction of tactile pavings by objects, materials, or vehicles.

B) Willful damage, destruction, or removal of any installed tactile pavings.

C) Defacing, marking, or vandalizing tactile pavings in any matter that obstructs its tactile pattern.

D) Unauthorized modification or alteration of any installed tactile pavings.

SECTION 9. Penalties and Liabilities. Any person found to be in violation of the prohibitions under Section 8 of this ordinance shall be penalized with a fine of Two Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (P2,500.00).

If the offender fails to pay the administrative fine within one (1) week of its imposition, the fine shall be increased to Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00).

Failure to pay the administrative fine of P5,000.00 within 1 week of its imposition shall result in imprisonment for a period of up to thirty (30) days.

SECTION 10. Separability Clause. Should any section or part of this Ordinance be declared unconstitutional, the remaining parts that are not affected shall remain valid.

SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. All provisions of existing laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, and executive issuances contrary to or found inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed, amended, and modified accordingly.

SECTION 12. Effectivity. This ordinance shall take effect beginning on the first day of Fiscal Year 2026, contingent upon the publication of this Ordinance in a newspaper of general circulation in Naga City.

ENACTED: February 18, 2026

WE HEREBY CERTIFY to the correctness of the foregoing ordinance.

GABRIEL H. BORDADO JR.

City Vice Mayor & Presiding Officer

LILIANO PASCUAL

Acting Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod

APPROVED:

MARIA LEONOR G. ROBREDO

City Mayor