The city government has implemented the recommendations of the person with disability sector on making sidewalks in the city PWD-friendly.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong said that based on the report of Administrator Bonifacio dela Peña, measures are now being undertaken by the city government in collaboration with the Department of Public Works and Highways to comply with the suggestions of the sector particularly on the removal of obstructions along the roads, installation of more cut-out curbs, railings, and ramps.
Audio visual aids for crossing, which was also included in the four recommendations are now being designed.
To address complaints on the danger posed by the slippery tactile pavement, through the City Engineering Office and DPWH had removed the tactile installed along sloping and skiddy areas for the safety of pedestrians.
“The city is adhering to the four recommendations of the affected sector coursed through the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) and in line with the Batas Pambansang 344 (An Act to Enhance the Mobility of PWDs by Requiring Certain Buildings, Institutions, Establishments and Public Utilities and Utilities to Install Facilities and other Devices),” the mayor said.
PDAO Head Samuel Aquino who was tasked to gather inputs from the different groups of persons with visual impairment on how to improve the tactile installations along various roads said that with the recommendations taken into consideration, his office will continue engaging with the affected sector on the implementation of projects to make the city PWD-friendly.
He said orientation and familiarization sessions on the sidewalk development works and appropriate tactile use will be made a regular activity among the visually impaired groups starting March 28.
The familiarization activity will be done onsite particularly in places where most of the visually impaired conduct their livelihood.
“We will do actual walk-throughs from their homes to their workplaces to orient them properly and at the same time determine problematic areas again for action by the city government,” Aquino said.
The city and the DPWH incorporated the tactile technology in the city’s sidewalk rehabilitation projects to raise the city’s standards in providing accessibility, protection and security to PWDs.
Issues arose however on the safety of the tactile but the city took measure to address them. – Aileen P. Refuerzo
April 26, 2024
