By Mae Singuay
The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) urged the Office of the Building Official (OBO) to strictly implement laws that will require establishments to install facilities for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens.
Councilor Simplicia Distrito said the SP passed a resolution requesting the OBO to strictly implement City Ordinance (CO) 8-16-774, or the accessibility ordinance for PWDs and senior citizens, after it was observed that many buildings and establishments in the city don’t have the required facilities.
The ordinance is in relation to Batas Pambansa 344, or an act to enhance the mobility of PWDs and senior citizens by requiring buildings, institutions, establishments, and public utilities to install facilities and other devices.
The measure will require owners, operators or administrators of educational institutions, airports, sports and recreational centers or complexes, shopping centers or malls, public parking spaces, hospitals, workplaces, and terminals to install and maintain architectural facilities or structural features that will enhance the mobility of PWDs or senior citizens.
The local measure also mandates that no business or mayor’s permits or the renewal thereof shall be issued without complying with the requirement of providing facilities in their establishments.
“There were also complaints from our senior citizens and PWD groups about the lack of facilities that can enhance their mobility and accessibility,” Distrito said.
She added that the group appealed for the city government to give the utmost attention to the matter, as a way of promoting their interests and affording them equal opportunity.
Meanwhile, Singcang-Airport village chief Caesar Distrito, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez’s spokesperson, said the mayor is supportive of the resolution.
“This ordinance is already a law, and there is no other recourse but to implement this,” Distrito said.
“[Benitez] will call the attention of OBO and [the Business Permits and Licensing Office] to make sure that in every structural plan of every building in the city, the requirements should be incorporated, and will make sure that this will be a PWD-friendly structure,” he added./MS, WDJ