(Contributed photo) 

Did you know that there is a law in the Philippines which caters to the rights of differently-abled persons to fully access buildings, streets, highways, and other structural facilities without a difficulty in their mobility? 

This law is called the Batas Pambansa 344, otherwise known as the “Accessibility Law,” whose main purpose is to create an equally sufficient, suitable, and safe space for the use of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in order for them to inclusively participate in the social life and the overall development of the country. 

Be it public or privately-owned buildings, no structure is exempted from abiding by the accessibility law. Even parking spaces, pedestrian lanes, and public transport vehicles, as well as terminals are required to integrate a barrier-free and accessibility feature. 

However, it can be observed that most existing structures are yet to meet the condition for comfortable or PWD-friendly use. Some pedestrian bridges cannot be traversed by people moving in wheelchairs without the risk of falling or are too high to be used by PWDs, elderly, and pregnant women. 

Meanwhile, some PWD ramps, even though readily provided, are too steep or not equipped with handrails and resting platforms which can pose a significant risk for the mobility impaired. 

Overcoming the obstacle towards a barrier-free future 

To slowly overcome this accessibility challenge, the Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium (DJNRMHS, also known as the Tala Hospital)) is making a headway towards advocating for the incorporation of disability inclusion in the structures and features of the government medical facility. 

“Nakita namin yung limitations ng mga PWD sa mga different structures both public and private, na dapat kasi mayroong modelo na organization na iha-highlight itong mga ito para kahit papaano, magkaroon ng realization ang tao na itong mga basic structures na ito ay available para sa PWD community,” DJNRMHS Chief Nurse Samuel Sumilang explained. 

(We saw the limitations of the PWD in different structures both public and private, whereas there should be a model organization that will highlight these, so that people will have a better realization of how we can make basic structures be available for the PWD community.) 

“We want to be, as a public institution, na maging model dahil we are gearing towards highlighting those mandates concerning PWDs,” he added. 

(We want, as a public institution, to become a model because we are gearing towards highlighting those mandates concerning PWDs.) 

In a benchmarking activity with a private architectural firm, JSLA Architects, the DJNRMHS is targeting to conduct an accessibility audit of its facilities to ensure compliance with the standards of accessibility pursuant to BP 344. 

This will also be a joint effort between the Multi-Sector Governance Council of the Tala Hospital and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) together with the concerned local government unit (LGU) for a holistic approach. 

Richard Arceno, a PWD himself, and director of the Livelihood Education and Rehabilitation Center (LERC), a community-led initiative designed to empower PWDs, underscored the importance of reinforcing the BP 344 to help the differently-abled enjoy the same opportunities available for the able-bodied. 

“Freedom of mobility is a human right. Accessibility of infrastructure and facilities is prerequisite to freedom of mobility. A person who is mobile increases his or her self-esteem. It’s about time to review the law, make the necessary amendments relevant to the current situation and enforce the full implementation,” said Arceno. 

JSLA Architects, for its part, expressed the commitment of the firm to help the Tala Hospital achieve the goal of catering to the holistic welfare of PWDs who are making transactions with the medical facility. 

The JSLA is known for integrating accessibility features in all its architectural designs as a means to ensure optimal use. It also has a history of creating projects for government institutions including the Dasmariñas local government and the Philippine Rehabilitation Institute (PRI) with the similar purpose of establishing a PWD-friendly health facilities. 

PRI Medical Center (left) and Pagamutan ng Dasmariñas (right). (Photo Courtesy: JSLA Architects) 

Once this strategic collaboration is formalized, it can potentially pave the way for a public-private partnership that will aid in the advancement of PWD rights. 

A continuing advocacy 

The Tala Hospital and the LERC have long been partners in facilitating the improvement of the lives of vulnerable groups, particularly PWDs. 

Through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, the Tala Hospital helped build a coffee shop that is completely managed by the PWD community from the LERC. 

It is called Green Kapé which can be found inside the Tala Hospital, fulfilling the goal of enabling the differently-abled. LERC also once became a beneficiary of the JSLA Architects in which they received training on how to better market their local products using social media. 

Related Story: 

A story of humanity hides inside the Green Kapé

This collaborative initiative to champion the cause of PWDs in terms of opportunity and mobility not only advances disability inclusion but also stronger social cohesion. 

It also serves as a major step forward in the aspect of encouraging medical facilities and other private and public utilities to replicate the integration of barrier-free and accessibility features to establish universal accessibility. (JMP/PIA-NCR)