EDITORIAL - Government neglect making life harder for PWDs

Persons with disabilities have a very valid complaint against the government concerning the Accessibility Law, or Batas Pambansa 344. Since its passage in 1983, implementation of the law has been, at best, crippled (pardon the word, no offense meant).

While implementation of BP 344 may be regarded as universal, meaning no building permits may issue unless construction of access ramps for PWDs are integrated into the building plans, no monitoring is done to check on how the ramps have actually been constructed.

As PWDs complained at a recent forum, construction of access ramps are being done solely for compliance purposes, but never with regard for the ease, safety and convenience of the law’s intended beneficiaries, the PWDs.

Indeed, a cursory check of the vast majority of buildings everywhere would show an overwhelming number of access ramps constructed in such a way that they are virtually impossible to pass through, even by perfectly-abled persons temporarily consigned to wheelchairs.

Many access ramps are constructed and configured in such a way that they actually become accidents waiting to happen. Thus, instead of helping PWDs, these ramps, clearly constructed for show, end up making life for PWDs even more difficult and physically challenging.

The reason why this is happening is because people in government charged with ensuring that such requirements as compliance with BP 344 are met just look at their role vis-a-vis these requirements is purely ministerial.

For as long as the papers are in order, they sign away the permits, thus consigning PWDs into a life made even more difficult by the insulting neglect and nonchalance of a government that is supposed to protect them.

The PWDs are correct in saying that government has not removed the restrictive barriers that make their difficulties even more defined. For aside from allowing the conversion of BP 344 into a mere window dressing, the government has thrown even more barriers in the way of PWDs.

In Cebu City alone, streets are lined with metal barriers, further restricting movement of PWDs through the crowded sidewalks. And while they serve some traffic purpose, in truth their construction proves the failure of authorities to do their jobs without resorting to barriers.