THE CAPITOL OF LAGUNA The sidewalk has straightforward routes with right-angle turns that help guide people who are blind. (Appendix A, 3.8) Some parts of the sidewalk are kept level, but some are not due to the drainage hatches. The material used for the sidewalk was brick. It looks well-maintained and is non-slip. (Appendix A, 3.1) Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 SIDEWALK EXAMINATION The Provincial Capitol of Laguna is located in Santa Cruz, Laguna. The first capital towns of the province were Bay and Pagsanjan. In 1858, it was transferred to Santa Cruz and became the official capital of Laguna. The first capitol building, now called "the old capitol", was built in 1907, and since then, new establishments have been made and old ones have been continuously renovated ("Laguna Capitol Building", 2021). Walkways and passageways are one of the many structures that must adhere to the minimum accessibility requirements set by BP 344. The gradient is no more than 1:20, or 5% which follows BP 344. (Appendix A, 3.2) The sidewalk had no spaces (1.50 m) for wheelchairs to turn around or pass another wheelchair, but given that it is not a lengthy and busy walkway compared to others, it still follows the BP 344. (Appendix A, 3.7) The width of most parts of the sidewalk is 1.52 m. However, there are parts that are lower than the minimum required width of 1.20 m (one part was only 1.02 m). (Appendix A, 3.4) The required headroom for walkways is less than 2.0 m or higher. Most parts had more than 2.0 m except for one, which only had 1.85 m due to the overhanging branch of the tree. While it is still acceptable, the tree should be maintained so that it won’t cause harm to people. (Appendix A, 3.9 & 3.10) There are no cracks but there are obstructions present, and it can also be seen that the walkway narrows because of the protruding part of the tree. (Appendix A, 3.11) MATIENZO, JHUSANE FLOREINE C. | BSPT 2-4 | OPT 3105.1-4
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The parking space is perpendicular to the road, as required. (Appendix A, B 1.3) PARKING AREA EXAMINATION According to BP 344, “Parking spaces for the disabled should allow enough space for a person to transfer to a wheelchair from a vehicle.” There are two branches of McDonald’s in Santa Cruz, Laguna. McDonald’s Santa Cruz Bayan is located in the town proper. It has been around for more than 10 years now, and it is currently undergoing renovation. The parking space for PWDs is close to the ramp leading to the two entrances of the fast food restaurant. (Appendix A, B 1.2) The width of the parking space is only 2.46 meters. This is only a few centimeters longer than the normal parking space width requirement of 2.40 m. Hence, it does not follow the minimum width requirement of 3.70 m, which would give enough space for a wheelchair to move. (Appendix A, B 1.4) Although it is not clearly seen in the photos due to the ongoing renovation, a walkway is provided at the front end of the parked car. Fortunately, the other end of the walkway is accessible. Its width is 1.3 m, which follows the minimum requirement of 1.2 m. (Appendix A, B 1.5) There is no curb cutout for the raised access walkway, as a ramp is provided. (Appendix A, B 1.6) A pavement marking or sign of the International Symbol of Access is present in the parking space. (Appendix A, B 1.7) The parking space is not located on ramped or sloping areas. (Appendix A, B 1.8) MATIENZO, JHUSANE FLOREINE C. | BSPT 2-4 | OPT 3105.1-4
D O C U M E N T A T I O N References Disability Information Resources. (n.d.). Accessibility Law (Batas Pambansa Bilang 344) and its Amended and Original Implementing Rules and Regulations. Retrieved July 23, 2023, from https://www.dinf.ne.jp/doc/english/intl/z15/z15007le/z1500712.html Laguna Capitol Building. (2021, June 30). Virtual Reality Travel. https://virtual.reality.travel/tour/laguna-capitol-building/ Matienzo, Jhusane Floreine C. | BSPT 2-4 | OPT 3105.1-4