The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) commends the approval at committee level of several bills namely: House Bill 2224 or the ‘PWD-friendly and Safe Transportation Act’; House Bill 2017 or ‘An Act Mandating the Provision of Exclusive Parking Space for Persons with Disability and Penalizing Unauthorized Use Thereof’; and, House Bill 4596 or ‘An Act to Further Promote the Mobility of Persons with Disability by Mandating Certain Accessibility Facilities and Services’. These bills seek to assist and improve the plight of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) by further ensuring their accessibility, mobility, and safety.
The House Special Committee on Persons with Disabilities also unanimously agreed to consolidate the proposed PWD laws and amend the existing ones to address the current day-to-day challenges of PWDs with regards mobility and transportation. This is a welcome update to ensure that the evolving needs of PWDs in these extraordinary times are addressed.
Daily routines that most people find easy can already pose as huge challenge to PWDs even during normal circumstances. Considering the economic slump and quarantine restrictions, which gravely limited the opportunities and mobility of PWDs, prioritising the welfare and needs of this sector will help ensure that they can cope and will not be left behind.
In particular, it is noteworthy that the envisioned consolidated bill endeavors to focus on greater safety and convenience of the transport system to cater to the special needs of PWDs. Other salient points of the proposed legislation include provision of exclusive parking space; installation of accessibility facilities and services; and designation of service lanes in both public and private offices for the convenience and safety of PWDs.
The CHR looks forward to the swift passage of the consolidated law for PWDs to expediently remove the barriers that limit their participation and inclusion in all aspects of social life. As we increasingly transition to the new normal, it is important that PWDs, as well as other disadvantaged sectors, are able to stride forward alongside the rest of the population. ###