The Association of Differently Abled Persons (ADAP) called for a review of newly constructed buildings that violate provisions of the BP No. 344 or the Accessibility Law.
ADAP-Davao president Redendo Martinez submitted the petition to the City Council during the deliberation on the allocation of a budget for the construction of an elevator in the Sangguniang Panlugsod building.
A total of P2.275 Million was allocated for the said project under the Supplemental Budget 1, which is set to be passed next week on third and final reading.
“We want to push for the investigation on the newly established buildings that do not enforce the Accessibility Law,” Martinez said.
According to Martinez, they have long observed that buildings in the city are not designed to be accessible to PWDs. However, they couldn’t really complain too much considering that the SP building has no functional elevator yet.
Martinez said they are happy that the SP building will finally have an elevator. The only elevator of the building has been non-functioning for a long time.
“We are thankful that our councilors granted our requests. We can now personally lobby with the vice mayor and the committee chairman concerned on our request for the investigation,” Martinez said.
“We have observed that while there are ramps, most do not fit with the standards provided in the BP 344. Some are just too steep. Also, some restrooms are also not designed for accessibility,” he added.
The Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 is also known as An Act to Enhance the Mobility of Disabled Persons by Requiring Certain Buildings, Institutions, Establishments and Public Utilities to install Facilities and Other Devices.
Meanwhile, Martinez said they are still hoping that the SP building and City Hall will truly serve as a model to other buildings in the city. “There was a time that they told us that they will make the city hall a model to other buildings in terms of its accessibility. We are still waiting when will this take effect,” he said.
