Persons with disabilities (PWD) should be prioritized or be given an express lane for all kinds of transactions, including the buying of concert tickets, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The DOJ cited Section 10 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act
10754 or An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of PWDs.
Section 10 states that “express lanes for PDWs shall be provided in all commercial and government establishments. In the absence thereof, priority shall be given to them in all the transactions of the establishments.”
“The use of the word ‘all’ implies that the law does not intend to distinguish between establishments or transactions involving items that are accessible to everyone and items which are of limited quantity,” the DOJ said in a four-page legal opinion.
The DOJ issued the legal opinion in response to the request of National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) Executive Director Glenda Relova.
Relova’s request stemmed from a letter regarding the non-implementation of express lanes during a ticket selling for a K-pop concert by a mall.
However, the mall said it implemented the “first come, first served” policy to ensure that tickets are sold in a fair manner since all buyers are treated equally.
Relova asked the DOJ whether the express lane or priority only applies for necessities and not for leisure and whether commercial establishments may not implement the express lane for PWDs for transactions involving limited quantities.
The legal opinion, dated September 19, was signed by Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez. He said that the legal opinion was issued for the NCDA’s information and guidance. —KG, GMA Integrated News
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