SAN JOSE, Antique – Buildings must have facilities that respond to the needs of persons with disabilities (PWDs), according to the Provincial Council on Disability Affairs (PCDA).
The PCDA recently checked if buildings in Antique comply with Batas Pambansa 344, which mandates owners of buildings, institutions, establishments, and public utilities to install facilities and other devices for the mobility of disabled persons.
In its meeting on Friday, the PCDA reported it found six buildings in the province without PWD-friendly facilities.
Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Fernando Corvera, who presided the meeting, said owners of the erring buildings must be asked to comply with the law.
“We have to tell the building owners about the deficiency that we have seen in the audit for them to correct it,” Corvera stressed.
These buildings include the Advance Central College, Antique Christian Center, Eagle’s Hotel, San Jose de Buenavista Municipal Economic Enterprise and Development Office, Social Security System, and the capitol.
Corvera said the PCDA will talk to Gov. Rhodora Cadiao when the latter returns from the United States to allocate funds for the needed ramps and handrails for PWDs at the capitol.
The PCDA inspection was done the first time in Antique during the province’s 40th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week in July.
The findings of the inspection were only released on Aug. 24.
There are 8,592 registered PWDs who are advocating for their rights and privileges in Antique. (With a report from PNA/PN)
