PWD-friendly tourism industry in Central Luzon sought

• Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2015/11/23/pwd-friendly-tourism-industry-central-luzon-sought-443120
• Monday, November 23, 2015

(CLJD/MJLS-PIA 3)

ANGELES CITY -- The National Council for Disability Affairs (NCDA) and Department of Tourism (DOT) pitched for a tourism industry in Central Luzon that caters to the needs of persons with disabilities (PWDs).

“The first step towards the realization of the Accessible Tourism for All goal is for everyone to know, understand, respect, and advocate PWD rights in the environment,” NCDA Acting Executive Director Carmen Zubiaga said during the one-day seminar on how to handle PWDs in the tourism industry.

“What we need is massive sensitization in dealing with PWDs. As stakeholders and duty bearers, we must understand that disability is human rights issue and at the same time a societal responsibility. With the fact that it is the environment that makes a person disabled, our role now is very critical to ensure that PWDs are not discriminated and that they are included in various developmental projects,” Zubiaga said.

She also cited that accessibility is the key to enjoyment of PWD rights and their full participation in the society.

“Accessibility of built environment and transportation contribute to barrier-free tourism. This is a way of capturing the forgotten market segment. In this way, not only will the PWDs benefit from this strategy but economic opportunities will also blossom,” Zubiaga said.

For his part, NCDA Information, Education and Communication Division Chief Rizalio Sanchez discussed the key mandates on disability as well as the incentives for establishments and institutions that will abide by the provisions required by pertinent laws.

“There are incentives for providing special needs and service for PWDs. When you hire PWDs in your establishment, you have 25% tax discount on salaries/wages for them and 50% tax incentive on repair for equipment and facilities intended for their use,” Sanchez said.

He also called for the continuous collaboration towards promoting an inclusive tourism for PWDs and challenged everyone to look at the grey areas so they can recommend policies and guidelines to improve their well-being.

DOT Regional Director Ronnie Tiotuico echoed the discussion the ideal architectural structures of hotels and facilities for PWDs.

Aside from the lectures, demonstrations on practical and appropriate ways of handling orthopedically handicapped, visually and hearing-impaired persons were shown.

These include basic courtesies, handling their special needs and such other concerns required by the customer-PWDs.

Participants include representatives from the hotel, transport, resort, and travel and tour industries; disabled people’s organization; government offices who oversee the implementation of the tourism industry; and members of the media.