Pursuing accessibility for PWDs

• Source: https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/08/05/pursuing-accessibility-for-pwds/
• Sunday, August 5, 2018 10:24 am

By Ariel Avendaño

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga – The United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) said the implementation of Batas Pambansa 344 which promotes the welfare of persons with disability (PWD) should be seriously given attention by the government and all other private stakeholders.

During the daylong accessibility audit training dubbed as “Building a better world for all” which was held at the SFJ multipurpose hall in Holy Angel University here, architect Arnel Agustin, UAP – Alaya chapter chair, said there were lots of government and private structures, and similar establishments, particularly in rural areas, that have no ramp facilities for PWDs.

Agustin said it’s about time to comprehensively observe the accessibility law citing section 1 of BP 344 stating that “in order to promote the realization of the rights of disabled persons to participate fully in the social life and the development of the societies in which they live and the enjoyment of the opportunities available to other citizens, no license or permit for the construction, repair or renovation of public and private buildings for public use.

The Act was passed by the Batasang Pambansa on December 7, 1982 which was signed and made into law by the late President Ferdinand Marcos on February 25, 1983.

Corresponding penalty was to be imposed for violators upon the discretion of the court, as stated in the Act.

Participated in mostly by young architects, the training has also highlighted modern and state-of-the-art concepts of facilities for offices such as bathrooms, toilets, ramps and even grab railings which will be conducive for working condition and convenience for PWDs.

On November 22, 2013, former President Benigno Aquino III has signed Proclamation 688 declaring the period of 2013-2022 as the Philippine decade of “make the right real” for persons with disabilities in support of the 3rd Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities.

“By that time, all buildings in the National Capital Region (NCR) should be PWD-accessible,”Agustin said.