Makati moves to establish PWD-friendly zones

MANILA, Philippines - Makati Tourism Foundation Inc. (MTFI), United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) and Makati Social Welfare Development joined forces to call on all Makati tourist establishments – from hotels, apartelles, Inns and resorts – to create PWD (persons with disability)-friendly zones in their respective areas.

 â€œIt is our humble aim to create an awareness campaign and compliance to the requirements of accessibility of PWDs to the concerned establishments here in Makati City. With the participation, dedication and commitment of our partners in this endeavor, we have no reason to say that this would not be a great possibility,” MTFI executive director Vots Villegas said.

For his part, UAP president Jaime Silva, who is himself visually-impaired, said it is high time tourist-laden establishments recognize the need to institutionalize PWD-friendly environment as “we have observed the International Day of PWDs last Dec. 3.”

“Everyone has the right to live the Filipino dream, to be independent and productive. Every citizen of this country has the right to be accommodated, included and be part of the Philippine built environment.  As Filipinos, this is our civil right. The Accessibility Law says even further that this right is more of the right of Filipinos with disabilities,” Silva said.

Villegas stressed the key role that Makati plays as the country’s central business district in the forthcoming ASEAN integration in 2015 where they expect leaders from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Singapore to experience the wonders of the Philippines and its people.

“What really makes it more mesmerizingly fun in the Philippines besides our quantum of beautiful natural resources, is the warmth of the Filipino people. But when tourists, especially world leaders see how we also care for our disabled brethren like other ASEAN countries observe, that I think qualify us even further in the competitive global platform,” Villegas added.

On Dec. 6, MTFI, UAP and MSWD, in partnership with the Makati City government launched an awareness campaign for PWD-friendly tourist establishments in Makati.

It is heavily geared towards the objective of fomenting PWD rights in the society as stipulated in the Accessibility Law for PWDs or Batas Pambansa 344.