SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga — Public outrage erupted after a Starbucks branch at SM City Pampanga allegedly asked a mother and her child with autism to eat outside the store due to its “no outside food” policy. 

The incident, which occurred earlier this week, has sparked condemnation from disability advocates and government agencies, raising questions about inclusivity and sensitivity toward persons with disabilities.

According to the mother, identified in social media posts as Lea Organa, her son Eli is a registered person with disability (PWD) and has autism spectrum disorder. She explained that Eli required a specialized car seat and safe food essential for his regulation. 

“When the security guard approached us about the ‘no outside food’ policy, I explicitly disclosed Eli’s PWD status,” Organa recounted in her post, which has since gone viral. Despite being paying customers, she said they were forced to leave the store and eat outside.

Former Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate also weighed in, criticizing the store’s handling of the situation. “The store showed a lack of sensitivity toward persons with disabilities,” Zarate said, noting that children on the autism spectrum may have special dietary needs that should be accommodated.

The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) has expressed concern over the incident, urging businesses to review policies that may inadvertently discriminate against PWDs. In a statement, the NCDA emphasized that while establishments have the right to enforce operational rules, these must not result in exclusion or undue hardship for individuals with disabilities. 

The council cited Republic Act No. 7277, or the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities, which mandates reasonable accommodation for PWDs.

Advocates are now calling on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to investigate the matter and impose corrective measures on Starbucks management. The incident has ignited a broader discussion on how businesses can balance operational policies with inclusivity, particularly in accommodating the needs of children with developmental conditions.

This controversy underscores the importance of sensitivity and awareness in customer service, especially when dealing with vulnerable groups. Disability rights groups have vowed to continue pushing for stronger enforcement of laws protecting PWDs, ensuring that similar incidents do not happen again.