DAVAO CITY, Philippines — A group advocating for the rights of persons with disability (PWD) asked the city council to inspect newly constructed buildings in the city that failed to comply in providing accessibility for PWDs.
This was raised by the Association of Differently Abled Persons (Adap) Davao President Redendo Martinez during the city council’s session last Tuesday, in which the council approved the construction of an elevator for the Sangguniang Panlungsod building to address accessibility for disabled persons.
Martinez took this opportunity to raise the issue that new buildings are not complying with the accessibility law.
“We want to push for the investigation on the newly established buildings that do not enforce the accessibility law,” Martinez said.
Martinez referred to the Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 also known as An Act to Enhance the Mobility of Disabled Persons by Requiring Certain Buildings, Institutions, Establishments and Public Utilities to install Facilities and Other Devices.
Martinez said his group observed that buildings in the city are not designed to be accessible to PWDs.
“We have observed that while there are ramps, most do not fit with the standards provided in the BP 344. Some are just too steep. Also, some restrooms are also not designed for accessibility,” he added.
He said that the fact that the Sangguinang Panlungsod has no elevator, and all councilors’ offices are on the upper floors, preempted them from taking this matter to them earlier on.
He said they are glad that the city is taking on this project and hopes this will serve as a model to other establishments in the city.
“We are thankful that our councilors granted our requests. We can now personally lobby with the Vice Mayor and the Committee Chairman concerned our request for the investigation,” Martinez said. (davaotoday.com)
