Talisay building officials told to follow Accessibility Law

The Association of Disabled Persons for Advancement in Talisay is urging the City planning and development office, the City Engineer's Office and the building official to inspect buildings for their accessibility features in compliance with the Accessibility Law.

In the inspection report submitted, Randy Dogmoc, accessibility focal person of the Office of Persons with Disabilities Affairs, found out that Talisay City new market in barangay Lagtang and some establishments in Talisay City, have not yet fully complied with provisions of the Magna Carta for the Disabled.

The Accessibility Law or Batasang Pambansa 344 which has been incorporated into the National Building Code, requires buildings to have access features such as ramps and handrails, comfort rooms and parking spaces before they can be issued permits.

Dogmoc noted that the new market's ramp at the middle entrance was steep, had no grab rails and the ramp protrudes up to the road, risking the safety and lives of users.

When the construction of the new City Hall building was almost done, Dogmoc said that the ramp was renovated at least three times citing that it does not provide appropriate ramps and grab bars.

The comfort rooms of the market are not also disabled-friendly because of the height of horizontal grab bar and the light switch from the ground is too high.

Dogmoc said there were no visible signage seen at its proper designated area for disabled persons. - Garry B. Lao