PWDs and the Law

CHEERS TO several television news programs for looking into the plight of persons with disabilities (PWDs).

GMA News TV’s State of the Nation with Jessica Soho (SONA), ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol, and TV5’s Aksyon reported on the poor implementation of Batas Pambansa No. 344, or the Accessibility Law.

PB No. 344, enacted in 1982, states that establishments and public utilities should provide facilities to help PWDs improve their mobility. This includes the installation of ramps in streets and elevators in buildings, as well as the posting of signs in public transport vehicles to remind commuters to give priority to PWDs.

SONA aired a report on June 23 which focused on how the poor enforcement of the law affects the daily commute of PWDs.  Balitanghali also featured the same report on June 24.

According to the report, violators of the law may be imprisoned for no more than one year, or be required to pay a fine amounting to Php 2,000 to Php 5,000. The report said motorists do not seem to care about the law’s penalties, as evident in the photos uploaded online of parked vehicles blocking ramps for PWDs.

Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled president Manuel Agcaoili, in an interview with SONA, gave suggestions on how the law can be improved.

TV Patrol and TV 5’s Aksyon also aired similar reports on June 24 and June 25, respectively.

The Aksyon report cited PWD support groups saying the country’s accessibility law is one of the most comprehensive in Asia but that there is still a need to improve it.

The TV Patrol report, meanwhile, said grievances from PWDs re their daily commute are only voiced online. In the report, the National Council for Disability Affairs said the Metro Manila Development Authority, the Department of Public Works and Highways and the local government units have  to better implement the Accessibility Law.

TV Patrol, in a follow-up report, focused on the lack of facilities for PWDs, particularly in public transportation systems. The report also said the Department of Transportation and Communication is already taking steps to improve these facilities.

Both TV Patrol reports were featured in two of ABS-CBN News Channel’s news programs: Dateline Philippines and The World Tonight.