A Senate resolution urging a formal inquiry into the implementation of existing PWD laws was filed by Senator Erwin Tulfo, in his effort to intensify his call for genuine inclusivity for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
Under Senate Resolution No. 186, the appropriate committee is directed to conduct an oversight of the implementation of Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 (the “Accessibility Law”) and Republic Act 7277 (the “Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities”).
“What is the sense of these laws protecting the rights of PWDs if accessible transportation and building features still fall short? Our PWDs are often forced to rely on others or risk their own safety just to move around,” Sen. Tulfo stated.
“There should be no issuance of building permits or approval of government projects for structural designs that lack mandatory accessibility features!,” underscored Tulfo, who is also Chairman of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development.
Chiding the prevalence of inaccessibility in public infrastructure, he stressed: “we see it on the news and social media—footbridges so steep that PWDs using mobility devices cannot navigate them safely. Even in public transportation, most designs are inconsiderate of the needs of the PWD community.”
“How can we expect our PWDs to reach their full potential if our very systems are rigged against them,” he sighed.
A known ally of the PWD community, Senator Tulfo is also advocating for the lifetime validity of PWD IDs for those with permanent disabilities.
The measure aims to remove the burden of renewing IDs every five years, which he said often incurs unnecessary costs and effort for the beneficiaries.
In line with this, he also urged the depoliticization of PWD registration and called for a more efficient, centralized repository of records to ensure that aid reaches the rightful recipients without political interference whatsoever.
