PWDs push amendments to National Building Code

CEBU - Persons with disabilities (PWDs) across the country have been pushing for the amendments to the National Building Code.

They are also demanding that specifications on the universal standards of accessibility should be in compliance with the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN-CRPD), to which the Philippines is a signatory.

In this connection, a forum on the “Universal Design” is set for October 11 at the office of National Economic Development Authority (NEDA-7).

The forum will discuss the sentiments and demands of PWDs in the promotion of the implementation of the universal standards of accessibility in all future projects.

This is organized by the Infrastructure Development Committee of the Central Visayas Regional Development Council.

A proposal authorized by the Accessibility Monitoring Committee II, Organization of Rehabilitation Agencies and the Infrastructure Development Committee of RDC, was made to initiate the amendment of the New Building Code.

Under Article 9 of UN-CRPD, PWDs must live independently and participatory in all aspects of life.

State parties should take appropriate measures to ensure PWD access to the physical environment, to transportation, information and communications, facilities and services.

Specific measures shall include identification and elimination of obstacles and barriers to accessibility in buildings, roads and transportation.

As one of the signatories, the country shall take appropriate measures to develop, promulgate and monitor the implementation of minimum standards and guidelines for the accessibility of facilities and services.

It should ensure that private entities that offer services take into account all aspects of accessibility for PWDs.

Buildings must provide signage in Braille or easy to read and understand forms as well as promote access to information and communication technologies and systems like the internet.

PWDs complained that the country’s Accessibility Law has not significantly moved for the last 25 years as government and private buildings and structures and public transportation remain inaccessible today.

PWDs further alleged that to some extent, the law aggravated the situation of non-compliance and wrong interpretation due to ambiguity in some provisions. – Jessica Ann Pareja/LPM (THE FREEMAN)