10 Iloilo City establishments are PWD-friendly

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Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/931438219791/10-iloilo-city-establishments-are-pwd-friendly
Thursday, July 30, 2015

By Lilibeth A. French (JCM/LAF/PIA-Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY, July 30 (PIA 6) - - Ten establishments here were recently affirmed by the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) of the Iloilo city government as PWD friendly.

These establishments include SM City, Robinsons Place, Plazuela de Iloilo, Diversion 21, Grand Dame Hotel, Philippine Long Distance Telephone, Tonino’s Restorante, Streetside KTV, The Medical City and Ayala Techno Hub.

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog awarded the plaque of recognition to the representatives of the PWD-friendly establishments during a Monday flag ceremony of the city government as part of the city’s observance of the 2015 National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week.

Iloilo City Social Welfare and Development Office Focal Person for PWD Program Cirila Sibolinao said the award gave due recognition to the establishments who have really made efforts to make and improve their facilities to be PWD-friendly.

“We are hoping that this will also encourage other establishments to make their facilities, devices and accommodations accessible or PWD- friendly as possible,” said Sibolinao.

Five barangays were also recognized for their efforts exerted to enhance the mobility and lives of PWDs in their communities. These barangays are Balabago, Dungon A, Buntatala, Calubihan and San Isidro, all in the districts of Jaro.

“These villages made efforts to make their barangay halls accessible to PWDs by putting ramps and have started the profiling of their PWDs,” said Sibolinao.

Last July 22, PDAO and other organizations of PWDs also joined the accessibility audit conducted by the Regional Council on Disability Affairs 6 chaired by the Department of Social Welfare and Development in eight private and government establishments in this city to check their compliance with Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 or An act to enhance the mobility of disabled person’s by requiring certain buildings, institutions, establishments and public utilities to install facilities and other devices.

The group visited Injap Tower Hotel, McDonalds FastFood Restaurant in Megaworld, Iloilo Convention Center, Startek, Atria, Esplanade, GT Mall, and TESDA 6 Regional Office.

Sibolinao said that if establishments and villages in this city could make their facilities PWD-friendly or compliant with the Accessibility Law this will bring significant impact on the mobility and safety of PWDs.