Women with disabilities urge compliance with RA 7277 By Vicente W. Villavert SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA 6) - - Women with disability in Antique called on the government to efficiently monitor the compliance to the implementation of RA 7277 otherwise known as the Magna Carta for people with disabilities. RA 7277 is an Act providing for rehabilitation, self-development and self-reliance of persons with disability and their integration into the mainstream of society. During a focus group discussion conducted by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the women with disability said that while they now enjoy some of the provisions of the law but they still experience some form of discrimination and have less access to economic, educational and other government services. For them the government should monitor the implementation of the law because there are still significant barriers that hinders them from enjoying their rights. Evelyn T. Tangile, focal person of persons with disability (PWD) in the Municipality of Laua-an said that there are several PWDs in her town who were not registered because of stigma- they are ashamed to go out in public. “This shows lack of understanding of the public to the abilities and aspirations of the PWDs,” Tangile said. The other barrier cited has to do with Batas Pambansa 344 or the Accessibility Law. They lamented that not all government offices and private business establishments have facilities that are PWD-friendly. They hope that the DPWH, municipal building officials or concerned agency should strictly implement the provision of BP 344 and to make sure that all permits and certificates of building occupancy comply with the law before these are approved. The Accessibility Law requires the construction of ramps, sidewalks, railings, among others, to help the PWDs easy access to buildings. Few government and private institutions were also observed to have hired PWDs. Ms. Amie Dava, head of the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) suggested to PIA Infocen Manager Margie L. Gadian to help undertake initiatives to raise public awareness of the rights of women with disability especially in the barangay level. Dava said that there are more than 12,000 PWDs in Antique but only 9,000 were registered, therefore a sustained information campaign must be conducted.(JCM/VWV/PIA6-Antique) #pia6
Posted on: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 00:58:23 +0000
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