SAN JOSE, Antique – Local government units must come up with ordinances to support the Accessibility Law, according to a group of Filipino architects.
The United Architects of the Philippines held on Friday an “accessibility audit training” among architects, engineers and municipal planning officers in this capital town.
It was aimed at strengthening the implementation of Batas Pambansa 344, or the Accessibility Law.
Everyone – not just persons with disabilities – should advocate for accessibility, Architect Rix Abordo said.
The fact that physical injuries that could lead to disabilities could unexpectedly happen to anyone necessitates local measures for accessibility, said Abordo.
“The provision of ramps and accessible toilets are but basic needs,” he said.
In Quezon City, for instance, there is a strict policy that a building owner noncompliant with the Accessibility Law will not be allowed to renew their building permit, Abordo said.
For his part, Architect Peji Cipriano of the UAP Quezon City Central chapter said they want to make architects, engineers and planners “become aware of the law and participate in the advocacy for accessibility.”
The Philippines is a signatory to the United Nations commitment to establish an accessible environment for PWDs, he noted, adding that trainings are part of their corporate social responsibility.
Abordo and Cipriano are cofounders of the Architects for Accessibility group.
Architect Elise Sophia Francisco, on the other hand, said the accessibility audit was intended to improve existing buildings and parking lots to make them barrier-free.
“Signages are very important so that the PWDs would know where they are,” she said. (With Philippine News Agency/PN)
