Author Topic: PWDs hit 'inhumane treatment' by transport sector  (Read 242 times)

joan.ligalig

  • EXPERT
  • ***
  • Posts: 2965
    • View Profile
PWDs hit 'inhumane treatment' by transport sector
« on: May 08, 2020, 09:13:40 PM »
DUMAGUETE CITY -- Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the province of Negros Oriental lambasted what they considered as inhumane treatment by certain bus companies in the province, including tricycles plying the city's streets, for being selective.

The sentiments were aired during a two-day symposium that culminated Wednesday, attended by association presidents of PWDs from Basay to Vallehermoso and representatives of government and line agencies in Negros Oriental.

Federation president Conrado Bacud, Jr. said the bottomline of the two-day activity is for agencies concerned to know that PWDs are aware of their rights and privileges but there seems to be lack of enforcement of existing laws such as the Magna Carta for PWDs, 20 percent discount on certain items/services as well as including the 12 percent value-added tax and so on.

In fact, the association president of La Libertad town, Eddie Visagas, and the PWD president of Tayasan, Giller Ballevar said during the symposium they had to walk more than 70 meters to Bethel Guest House in Dumaguete for the said activity because the bus did not stop in front of the establishment because the conductor said it is a “no-stopping” area.

More PWDs criticized the insensitivity of some drivers and conductors who may not be aware of the provisions of the law.

For his part, the vice president of the provincial federation of PWDs in Negros Oriental, Alexander Arias, who is president of the association of PWDs in Siaton town, said he has filed a case of direct discrimination against the same bus company in 2015. However, it was dismissed by the provincial prosecutor's office, and so he elevated the same to the higher court.

Arias enjoined PWDs in the province to exercise their rights and privileges as provided for in the Magna Carta.

Bacud called on local government units including the barangays to appropriate one percent of their respective Internal Revenue Allotments (IRA) as their share to be divided between them and the senior citizens as provided for under the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

Present during the two-day symposium were representatives from the social welfare office, Land Transportation Office, Department of Health, as well as the members of the Provincial Disability Council as part of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation week that was celebrated in July this year.

PSWD focal person for PWDs Benemerita Badon said an online registration of PWDs is being conducted by the hospitals so that in case of hospitalization, PWDs can automatically avail of their rights and privileges.

She said many PWDs in the province are not yet registered online. At present, there are about 9,500 PWDs but only half of them have been registered and have identification cards. (PNA)



* Stay at Home and START YOUR OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.wirenine.com



Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=109795.0

unionbank online loan application low interest, credit card, easy and fast approval

Tags: