Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario has ordered the strict compliance of the Batas Pambansa 344, otherwise known as the Accessibility Law in the Province of Davao del Norte.
At the recent meeting of the Provincial Council for the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities, Gov. del Rosario enjoined all the local government units, as well as the concerned authorities and entities to fully implement the Accessibility Law.
The law aims to enhance the mobility of disabled persons by requiring certain buildings, institutions, establishments and public utilities to install facilities and other devices necessary in promoting the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities.
The governor also called for the full cooperation of the Dabaonon people to ensure the successful implementation of the 27 year-old law.
Del Rosario made the appeal after observing that some establishments have installed the required features of BP 344, but not totally in accordance with the standard specifications set by the Accessibility Law.
He also noted a number of establishments still fail to even partially comply with the decree.
Del Rosario further reiterated his all-out support and commitment to Memorandum Circular No. 2001-81 of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), which enjoins all the local chief executives to undertake compliance with BP 344 and its amended implementing rules and regulations.
In order to find out if public structures and private establishments in the province are complying with the provisions of the Accessibility Law, the governor has directed the Provincial Accessibility Monitoring Team to conduct an “accessibility audit” of random buildings and structures in the province.
The accessibility team, which was led by Provincial Council for the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities Coordinator and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Arlene Semblante, has evaluated some prominent public and private establishments in the province.
The team is preparing its report which will be submitted to the governor and other concerned agencies. Results of the assessment will also be furnished to the valuate-establishments.
Arch. Tito Gamosa of the Department of Public Works and Highways, who is part of the monitoring team, bared Secretary Rogelio Singson has ordered all city and municipal building officials to strictly implement the provisions of BP 344 and to ensure that all approvals of application for building permits and certificates of building occupancy shall be evaluated to comply with said law.
Gamosa said the concerned parties must comply with the directives since violators will now be held criminally liable.
He revealed violators shall be fined with P50,000 to P100,000 and/or imprisonment of six months on the first offense. On the second offense, violators shall be penalized with P100,000 to P200,000 and/or imprisonment of two years to six years.
He said buildings and facilities serving the general public must have a ramp accessible at the nearest entrance. The comfort rooms must also be accessible to persons with disabilities (PWDs).
A parking space shall also be provided for PWDs, while a ramp, elevator or a lift must be available for PWDs for buildings with two or more storeys, among other requirements.
Gov. del Rosario vowed his administration shall continue to support the various activities and advocacies and to give special attention to persons with disabilities.
He also urged the full support of stakeholders to the various activities lined up for the weeklong observance of the 33rd National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week (NDPRW) which started on July 17 up to July 23, 2011, with the theme “Making Rights Real for Filipino with Disabilities.
