‘Barrier-free’ establishments in 3 years legislated

CEBU, Philippines - After series of deliberations by the Cebu City Council, “monumental” piece of  legislation Barrier-Free Tourism (BFT) is finally a law.

The City Council Wednesday last week the ordinance setting BFT, which aims to institutionalize universal barrier-free designs, standards and specifications for tourism-oriented establishments such as hotels, resorts, restaurants, malls, museums, among others.

The legislation, authored by City Councilors Alvin Dizon, Margarita Osmeña, James Anthony Cuenco and Lea Japson, puts emphasis on addressing the needs of mobility-impaired individuals such as persons with disabilities (PWDs), people of short stature, the elderly, pregnant women, and children.

In an interview, Dizon said the legislation is in compliance with the Accessibility Law (Republic Act 344), the Tourism Act of  2009, The National Building Code, and existing local ordinances.

BFT was also endorsed by the Hotel Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu Inc., and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, for the city to “adopt the inclusive policies and programs that favor the PWD’s right to access tourism facilities and services and promote equal participation and inclusion among the public and private players in the industry.”

The authors of the ordinance believed that BFT will further boost Cebu’s economy and its tourism industry, the province being one of the top destinations in the country because of its numerous historical sites, pristine beaches, culture, and adventures it can offer.

“Enticing PWDs and the elderly to come and visit Cebu means that our tourism facilities must be ready to accommodate and address their special needs to ensure their utmost comfort and mobility,” Dizon said.

On the other hand, Cebu City Federation of Persons with Disability president Danny Omayan said passage of the BFT ordinance is “a dream come true” for all PWDs like him.

“This is a big help for all of us. Actually, dugay na ni nga damgo namo nga among gi tawag nga (this is a long time coming, for us to have what we call a) non-handicapping environment,” he said.

Dizon said the ordinance gives the establishments and tourism sites ample time to comply with the requirements, or within three years from the passage of the ordinance.

But, upon the renewal of business permits or license to operate, the establishments are required to present a certificate of accreditation from the DOT.

 If the owner of the establishment will not comply with the BFT ordinance, he would be fined P5,000 or imprisoned for one day to 30 days, or both penalties upon the discretion of the court.

Pursuant to the BFT ordinance, it is mandated that all reception areas of establishments shall have low and recessed or split-level counters with length not exceeding than 75 centimeters from the floor to the counter top to accommodate persons with short stature.

For elevators, they must have a minimum door width of  90 centimeters and a depth of 120 to 150 cm; buttons shall be embossed or include a voice enunciator; exterior and interior panels shall not exceed 47 inches from the floor; and equipped with handrails placed at the both sides at 28-30 inches from the floor.

Likewise, hotels shall designate rooms for the mobility-impaired, while toilets must be “unisex” to enable guardians assist persons in wheelchairs.

In return for compliance, tourism-oriented establishment will be granted a one hundred percent “special allowable deduction,” which is applied to the annual gross sales or receipts of the existing establishments.—(FREEMAN)