Taguig City hosts Freedom Walk of persons with disabilities

To show support to efforts recognizing the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs), the local government of Taguig City will play host today to this year’s Freedom Walk at the Bonifacio Global City (BGC).

“We fully support this project that recognizes the rights of PWDs under the law. We encourage everyone, especially those in government, to make public service more accessible to our brohers and sisters in the PWD sector,” said Mayor Lani Cayetano.

The Freedom Walk 2013 is anticipated to start at around 7 a.m. today and to be participated in by around 1,500 PWDs from Metro Manila’s 16 cities, including the lone municipality of Pateros. The participants, which include PWDs from Tahanang Walang Hagdanan in Cainta, Rizal, will assemble in 9th Avenue in BGC.

Mayor Lani, one of the honored guests in the event, is calling for the thorough implementation of Batas Pambansa 344 or the Accessibility Law, particularly its provisions concerning PWDs.

Also one of those expected to grace the annual Freedom Walk is Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Commissioner Grace Padaca, a PWD herself.

Taguig is among the first local government unit to establish its own PWB office. In fact, Helario Supaz, officer-in-charge of the Taguig PWD Affairs Office, is a PWD.

Also, the local government of Taguig has already undertaken its Access Audit of services in the city hall and has made recommendations on how to make them “PWD-friendly.”

“PWDs are among our partners in the progress of our cities. We intend to afford them equal treatment and at the same time recognize their rights under the law,” Mayor Lani said.