The proposed office for persons with disability (PWDs) in Bontoc town, Mountain Province lacked the proper architectural facilities or structural features to enhance the mobility, safety, and welfare of its intended beneficiaries, the Commission on Audit (COA) said in its audit report.

Contrary to its temporary office at the 1st floor of the Bontoc municipal building which has the necessary facilities like ramps, support rails, dedicated parking space, wheelchair-friendly doors, and wheelchair-friendly restroom, the proposed office is located at the basement of the building which is also the parking space for vehicles, COA said.

It also said the proposed office may also be flooded in case of heavy rains.

Thus, it said the proposed PWD office is contrary to the provisions of the Republic Act No. 7277, the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, and memorandum circular of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) was created on Sept. 1, 2014 under the office of the municipal mayor through Municipal Ordinance No. 245. The personnel of the office are composed of a municipal disability affairs officer I and one administrative aide I.

COA said "the proposed location of the PDAO, along with the lack of required architectural facilities or structural features pose difficulties for PWDs in accessing the office and may jeopardize their safety since the location is at the parking space, thereby hindering the PDAO's effectiveness in serving the PWD community."

It recommended that the municipal government ensure all the necessary accessibility features and facilities of the PDAO in order to enhance the mobility, safety, and welfare of PWDs.