Table 2.

BATAS PAMBANSA 344 – ACCESIBILITY LAW

(ALONG BONIFACIO STREET, BAGUIO CITY)

PROBLEM PROCESS METHOD/PRINCIPLES ACTORS EXPECTED RESULT

A. EXTERIOR

1. DROPPED CURBS
Actors will be
1. Collect the cross- Dropped curbs compelled to follow the
1.a. SLOPE slope and grade of shall be sloped Department of provision thus there
every sidewalk by towards the road Works and will be a
rolling the PROWAP with a maximum Highways reconstruction of the
(Public Rights of Way cross gradient of (DPWH), dropped curbs to comply
Assessment Process) 1:20 to prevent with the provision in
cart along the best water from BP 344.
path of travel. collecting at the
2. identify and locate walkway (Building
every section of cross- code of the
slope that exceeds the Philippines, 2005)
maximum 2.0%.
3. Sidewalks that force
a pedestrian to
traverse driveway
crossings confront
mobility device users
with severe and rapidly
changing cross-slopes.
4. Use PROWAP, which
identifies cross slope
issues along the best
path of travel and
specifically tags those source: National source:
caused by driveway Building Code of National source: The Law to
crossings. the Philippines Building Code Enhance Mobility of
(2005), pp. 95 of the Disabled Persons, BP
Philippines 344 (1983), pp. 2
(2005), pp.
93-94
Actors will be
b. RAMP 1. Conduct a survey by 1. Changes in Department of compelled to follow the
physically inspecting level require a Works and provision thus there
all crosswalks. ramp except when Highways will be a
Complete a database served by a (DPWH), reconstruction of the
based on the survey. dropped curb, an ramps to comply with
2. Classify existing elevator or other the provision in BP
crosswalks pursuant to mechanical device; 344.
degree of modification 2. Ramps shall
required. have a minimum
3. Classify ramps based clear width of
on priorities and 1.20 m;
results of the survey. 3. The maximum
4. Seek funding sources gradient shall be
for action required 1:12;
under BP344 and 4. The length of a
accompanying ramp should not
regulations. exceed 6:00 m. if
5. Decide whether to the gradient is
request exemption or 1:12; longer ramps
deferment of BP344 whose
requirements on grounds gradient is 1:12
of undue financial or shall be provided
administrative burden. with landings not
6. Bid for contracts to less than 1.50 m.;
complete work on curbs 5. A level area
necessary for not less than 1.80
compliance with m. should be
BP 344 and accompanying provided at the
regulations. top and bottom of
any ramp;
6. Handrails will
be provided on
both sides of the
ramp at 0.70 m.
and 0.90 m. from
the ramp
level;
7. Ramps shall be Source: Source: BP 344
equipped with National Implementing Rules and
curbs on both Building Code Regulations (IRR)
sides with a of the Amendments Minimum
minimum height of Philippines Requirements for
0.10 m. (2005), pp. 97 Accessibility. (1983),
pp. 3
 source: National
Building Code of
the Philippines
(2005), pp. 97
2. CURB CUT-OUTS (a 1. Identify the 1. Curb cut-outs Department of
break in the location and size of should only be Works and
sidewalk the proposed curb cut allowed when it Highways
or traffic island out request. will not (DPWH), Zoning
provided with an Additionally, the plan obstructed a officer, Actors will be
inclined must include the walkway or in any Bureau of compelled to follow the
surface to following (Abbondanza, way lessen the Building provision thus there
facilitate mobility 2014): width of a walkway Inspection will be a
of wheeled 2. Stamp of surveyor, reconstruction of the
chairs, carriages engineer or architect 2. The minimum curb cut outs to comply
and other similar 3. Property location width of a curb with the provision in
conveyance) and address cut-out should be BP 344.
4. Contact information 0.90m.
for owner/applicant.
5. Proposed curb cut 3. Curb cut-outs
width and side should have a
dimensions to property gradient not more
lines. than 1:12.
6. Location and type of 4. Adequate site
new or existing street distance for safe
fixtures (utility vehicular ingress
poles, traffic signals, and egress must be
etc.) provided.
7. Type of paving 5. Parking will
(asphalt, brick, etc.) not be prohibited
Type of sidewalk, opposite
current condition and applicant’s
width driveway to
8. Report to the facilitate access
authorities
Source: BP 344 source: Source: BP 344
Implementing Rules National Implementing Rules and
and Regulations Building Code Regulations (IRR)
(IRR) Amendments of the Amendments Minimum
Minimum Philippines Requirements for
Requirements for (2005), pp. Accessibility. (1983),
Accessibility. 93-94 pp. 3
(1983), pp. 3
3. WALKWAYS AND 1. Review the sidewalk 1. It must be Department of Actors will be
PASSAGEWAYS to determine the best accessible and Works and compelled to follow the
garden location based permeable. Highways provision thus there
a. Sidewalk on city requirements 2. It must be safe (DPWH), Bureau will be a
Landscaping and underground and inviting - has of Building reconstruction of the
utilities certain Inspection walkways and
2. Complete the characteristics of passageways to comply
Sidewalk Landscaping publicness and with the provision in
Permit drawings and act transparency. BP 344.
as a liaison to DPWH, 3. It must be
meeting with an comfortable for
inspector to review users to walk on –
each garden and ensures must have enough
that each property has shade and cover
an approved Sidewalk and with well-
Landscaping Permit designed and well-
3. Design each garden, constructed
including materials and elements
plant selection 4. It must provide
4. Coordinate removal users with a
of concrete, pleasant view -
installation of pavers well-placed street
and the delivery of elements are great
materials, including factors in making
soil amendment, mulch, a route enjoyable
plants and trees 5. It must be
5. Supervise the garden well-maintained
installation workdays (Galingan, etc,
and ensures that all 2012).
gardens are completed source: source: National
based on their permit National Building Code of the
drawings. Building Code Philippines (2005), pp.
6. Organize occasional source: National of the 101
sidewalk garden Building Code of Philippines
volunteer maintenance the Philippines (2005), pp.
workdays on established (2005), pp. 101 93-94
gardens
b. Head room 1. Talk to the actors Walkway headroom Owner,
first to educate should not be less Contractor, Actors will be
them about the than 2.0 meters Architect (if compelled to follow the
problem and preferably present), provision thus there
2. If no action is done higher engineer (if will be a
by the actors take present), reconstruction of the
 evidence of the Bldg. Official head rooms to comply
violation by or other with the provision in
documenting the public BP 344.
violation using official in
photography, videos, charge with
etc. the issuance
3. Report the violation of building
to the DPWH and CBAO permit,
for inspection of registration,
the building certification
4. After inspection, and/or
let the legal inspection of
actions ensue so the building.
that the actors will Bureau of
be compelled to fix Building
said problem. Inspection

source:
National
source: National Building Code
Building Code of of the source: National
the Philippines Philippines Building Code of the
(2005), pp. 101 (2005), pp. Philippines (2005), pp.
93-94 101
c. Walkways 1. Inspect the sidewalk Department of Actors will be
and refer to the Public Ways compelled to follow the
provisions in BP 344. and Highways, provision thus there
Bureau of will be a
2. Take evidence of the Building reconstruction of the
violation by Inspection walkways and
documenting the passageways to comply
violation using with the provision in
photography, videos, BP 344.
etc.

3. Report the violation

to the DPWH and CBAO
for inspection of the source: National source: source: National
building Building Code of National Building Code of the
the Philippines Building Code Philippines (2005), pp.
4. After inspection, (2005), pp. 102 of the 102
 let the legal actions Philippines
ensue so that the (2005), pp.
actors will be 93-94
compelled to fix said
problem.
d. Post or Column 1. Inspect the sidewalk Passageways for Actors will be
and refer to the the disabled Department of compelled to follow the
provisions in BP 344. should not be Public Ways provision thus there
obstructed by and Highways, will be a
2. Take evidence of the street furniture, Bureau of reconstruction of the
violation by bollards, sign Building post or columns to
documenting the posts or columns Inspection comply with the
violation using along the defined provision in BP 344.
photography, videos, route, as they can
etc. be hazardous.

3. Report the violation

to the DPWH and CBAO
for inspection of the
building

4. After inspection, source: National source: source: National

let the legal actions Building Code of National Building Code of the
ensue so that the the Philippines Building Code Philippines (2005), pp.
actors will be (2005), pp. 105 of the 105
compelled to fix said Philippines
problem. (2005), pp.
93-94
Handrails 1. Handrails Department Actors will be
should be of Public compelled to follow
installed at both Ways and the provision thus
sides of ramps and Highways, there will be a
stairs and at the Bureau of reconstruction of the
outer edges of Building walkways and
dropped curbs. Inspection passageways to add
Handrails at handrails in order to
dropped curbs comply with the
should not be provision in BP 344.
installed beyond
the width of any
crossing so as not
to obstruct
pedestrian flow.
2. Handrails shall
be installed at
0.90 m and 0.70 m
above steps or
ramps. Handrails
for protection at
great heights may
be installed at
1.0 m to 1.06 m.
3. A 0.30 m long
extension of the
handrail should be
provided at the
start and end of
ramps and stairs.
source: National
source: National source: Building Code of the
Building Code of National Philippines (2005),
the Philippines Building pp. 106
(2005), pp. 106 Code of the
Philippines
(2005), pp.
93-94
4.Open Spaces
4.a open area .investigate the area 1. Where open Bureau of
with the government spaces are Building
officials involved provided, the Inspection
blind can become
particularly
disoriented.
Therefore,
it is extremely
helpful if any
walkway or paths
can be given
defined edges
either by the
use
of planters with
dwarf walls, or
a grass verge,
or similar,
which provides a
texture
different from
the path.

source: National source: source: National

Building Code of National Building Code of the
the Philippines Building Code Philippines (2005),
(2005), pp. 104 of the pp. 104
Philippines
(2005), pp. 93

5. Signage under outside and around buildings

5.a Signages -Directional and Department of Replace and relocate
Conduct an interview to informational Public Ways where it can easily
DPWH officials for the sign should be and Highways, be seen by the
implementations of the located at Bureau of users.
signage. points Building
conveniently Inspection
seen even by a
person on a
 wheelchair and
those with
visual
impairments.

source: National source:

Building Code of National
the Philippines Building Code
(2005), pp. 107 of the source: National
Philippines Building Code of the
(2005), pp. 93 Philippines (2005),
pp. 107
5.b sign and Conduct an interview to -Signs should be Department of
symbols DPWH officials for the kept simple and Public Ways Proper placement of
implementations of the easy to and Highways, signages according
signage. understand; Bureau of to the BP 344 will
signages should Building be constructed
be made of Inspection
contrasting
colors and
contrasting gray
matter to make
detection and
reading easy;

source: National source:

Building Code of National
the Philippines Building Code
(2005), pp. 105 of the source: National
Philippines Building Code of the
(2005), pp. Philippines (2005),
105 pp. 105
 6.Crossings
6.a. pedestrian -In order to Department of Suggestion and
lane Conduct a survey to the reduce the Public Ways recommendation for
personnel involve in the exposure time to and Highways the programs applied
situation such as the vehicular (DPWH), in this situations.
students. traffic, all at Bureau of
grade crossing Building
should be as Inspection
near
perpendicular to
the carriageway
as possible.

source: National source:

Building Code of National
the Philippines Building Code
(2005), pp. 105 of the source: National
Philippines Building Code of the
(2005), pp. 93 Philippines (2005),
pp. 105
6.b. crossing 1. Talk to the actors - The most Bureau of Inform the city
lane first to educate them beneficial form Building governments for the
about the problem of crossing as Inspection, implementation of
2. If no action is far as any DPWH pedestrian
done by the actors take disabled are lane/overpass for
evidence of the violation concerned is the easy access.
by documenting the light controlled
violation using crossing having
photography, videos, etc. pedestrian
3. Report the phases and
violation to the DPWH and synchronized
CBAO for inspection of audible signals
the building and should,
4. After inspection, wherever
let the legal actions possible, be
ensue so that the actors provided in
will be compelled to fix preference to
said problem. other types of
crossings as
determined by
 the duly
authorized
agency.
source:
source: National
National
Building Code of the
source: National Building Code
Building Code of of the Philippines (2005),
the Philippines Philippines pp. 105
(2005), pp. 105 (2005), pp. 93
6.c. signal light 1. Talk to the actors The flashing DPWH Traffic light are to
first to educate them green period be installed at the
about the problem required for the specific location
2. If no action is disabled should where traffic are
done by the actors take be determined on congested.
evidence of the violation the basis of a
by documenting the walking speed of
violation using 0.90 m/sec.
photography, videos, etc. rather than 1.20
3. Report the m/sec. which is
violation to the DPWH and what is normally
CBAO for inspection of used. The
the building minimum period
4. After inspection, for the steady
let the legal actions green (for
ensue so that the actors pedestrians)
will be compelled to fix should not be
said problem. less than 6
seconds or the
crossing
distance times
0.90 m/sec.,
whichever is the source:
greatest. National
Building Code
source: National of the source: National
Building Code of Philippines Building Code of the
the Philippines (2005), pp. 96 Philippines (2005),
(2005), pp. 106 pp. 106
A. PARKING
b.1. Parking space 1. Talk to the actors A walkway from Owner, Actors will be
first to educate them accessible Contractor, compelled to follow
about the problem spaces of 1.2 Architect (if the provision thus
2. If no action is meters clear present),
 done by the actors take width shall be engineer (if there will be a
evidence of the violation provided between present), reconstruction of
by documenting the the front ends Bldg. Official the parking area to
violation using of parked cars. or other comply with the
photography, videos, etc. public provision in BP 344.
3. Report the official in
violation to the DPWH and charge with
CBAO for inspection of the issuance
the building of building
4. After inspection, permit,
let the legal actions registration,
ensue so that the actors certification
will be compelled to fix and/or
said problem. inspection of
the building.

source: National source: source: National

Building Code of National Building Code of the
the Philippines Building Code Philippines (2005),
(2005), pp. 107 of the pp. 107
Philippines
(2005), pp. 93
b.2 Disabled 1. Talk to the actors 1. Parking Owner, Actors will be
first to educate them spaces for the Contractor, compelled to follow
about the problem disabled should Architect (if the provision thus
2. If no action is never be located present), there will be a
done by the actors take at ramped or engineer (if reconstruction of
evidence of the violation sloping areas; present), the parking area to
by documenting the 2. Accessible Bldg. Official
comply with the
violation using parking spaces or other
provision in BP 344.
photography, videos, etc. should be public
3. Report the located as close official in
violation to the DPWH and as possible to charge with
parking CBAO for inspection of building the issuance
the building entrances or to of building
4. After inspection, accessible permit,
let the legal actions entrances; registration,
ensue so that the actors 3. Parking certification
will be compelled to fix spaces for the and/or
said problem. disabled should inspection of
allow enough the building.
space for a
person to
 transfer to a
wheelchair from
a vehicle;
4. Accessible
parking slots
should have a
minimum width of
3.70 m.
5. Accessible
parking spaces
should be
located as close
as possible to
building
entrances or to
accessible source:
entrances; National
Building Code source: National
source: National of the Building Code of the
Building Code of Philippines Philippines (2005),
the Philippines (2005), pp. pp. 108
(2005), pp. 108 108

INTERIOR

Lack of adequate 1. Talk to the actors Legal action to Owner, Actors will be
washroom and first to educate them compel the Contractor, compelled to follow
toilets (1.7 x 1.8m about the problem actors to Architect (if the provision thus
with grab bar) 2. If no action is provide proper present), there will be a
done by the actors take washroom and engineer (if reconstruction of
evidence of the violation toilets in present), the comfort rooms to
by documenting the accordance with Bldg. Official
comply with the
violation using BP 344. or other
photography, videos, etc. public provision in BP 344.
3. Report the official in
violation to the DPWH and charge with
CBAO for inspection of the issuance
the building of building
4. After inspection, permit,
let the legal actions registration,
ensue so that the actors certification
 will be compelled to fix and/or
said problem. inspection of
the building.

source: source: National

source: National
Building Code of National Building Code of the
the Philippines Building Code Philippines (2005),
(2005), pp. 109 of the pp. 109
Philippines
(2005), pp.
93-94

Inadequate stair 1. Talk to the actors Legal action to Owner, Actors will be
design first to educate them compel the Contractor, compelled to follow
about the problem actors to Architect (if the provision thus
2. If no action is provide proper present), there will be a
done by the actors take stairs in engineer (if reconstruction of
evidence of the violation accordance with present), the stairs to comply
by documenting the BP 344. Bldg. Official
with the provision
violation using or other
photography, videos, etc. public in BP 344.
3. Report the official in
violation to the DPWH and charge with
CBAO for inspection of the issuance
the building of building
4. After inspection, permit,
let the legal actions source: National registration, source: National
ensue so that the actors Building Code of certification Building Code of the
will be compelled to fix the Philippines and/or
Philippines (2005),
said problem. (2005), pp. 110 inspection of
pp. 110
the building.

source:
National
Building Code
of the
Philippines
(2005), pp.
93-94
Inf
raG
uide, innovations and best practices. (2002). Ottawa: National Guide to Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure.

Abbondanza. (2014). Department of Public Works | Curb Cut Permit. Retrieved March 28, 2017, from
http://pittsburghpa.gov/dpw/curb-cut-permit

Sidewalk Landscaping. (2016). Retrieved April 1, 2017, from https://www.fuf.net/programs-

services/greening/sidewalk-gardens/

Galingan, Alcazaren, Ramos, & Santos. (2012). Pedestrian-Friendly Streetscape in a Tropical Business ...
Retrieved April 1, 2017, from http://upca.upd.edu.ph/uploads/1/8/5/4/18549486/02_galingan__pedestrian-
friendly_streetscape_on_a_tropical_business_district.pdf.pp.10

APPENDIX

Public Rights of Way Assessment Process (PROWAP)

Beneficial Designs is ready to assist you with all of your sidewalk assessment service needs. We recognize
that your highest priority is to efficiently identify and address all hazards and potential liabilities.
Manual sidewalk assessment methods are time consuming and physically demanding; so we have developed PROWAP
to quickly and easily assess your sidewalk environment. Our automated sidewalk assessment process focuses on
four areas of liability:

Tripping Hazards

Curb Ramps

Cross Slopes

Critical Features

When we finish the assessment of your sidewalk infrastructure, you will have completed the physical portion
of the self-evaluation process to create your agency's Transition Plan. You will be able to import the data
into your GIS database so you will have a complete layer of geo-referenced data for your management and
planning needs. From there you can analyze the data and use it to create a Transition Plan to meet your ADA
Accessibility Requirements.

We have assessment experts who are ready to travel and measure your sidewalk infrastructure today to help
with your need to assess and create a transition plan for the removal of hazards and to increase the
accessibility and usability of your community by pedestrians. With the cost of fuel going up, the usefulness
of your sidewalk infrastructure is going to become an increasingly important asset to your community.

Public Rights of Way Assessment Process (PROWAP). (2016). Retrieved March 27, 2017, from
http://www.bing.com/.beneficialdesigns.com%2fproducts%2ftrail-and-sidewalk-assessment-equipment-software