MMDA leads observance of 2012 International Day of Persons with ...

MANILA, Dec. 2 (PNA) ?In line with the observance of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) on Monday, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) bared plans to put up three PWD-friendly pedestrian crossings in Quezon City and Pasig, two of the cities in Metro Manila that have the most number of disabled persons.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the PWD-accessible pedestrian crossings, each equipped with audio warning device for the blind, will be installed at the corner of Aurora Boulevard corner JP Rizal Street in Project 4, and another near Isetann mall, both in Cubao, Quezon City; and at Santolan Road corner Marcos Highway in Pasig City.

Tolentino said the PWD pedestrian crossings project is the highlight of the MMDA?s participation in the celebration of International Day of PWDs, which is commemorated every year pursuant to the United Nations Resolution A/RES/47/3 adopted in October 14, 1992.

?With the introduction of these PWD-friendly pedestrian crossings, we hope to inspire other local government units and the private sector to come up with more programs for the welfare and development of disabled persons,? Tolentino said.

The MMDA chief noted that the lack of proper pedestrian lanes for PWDs in major roads of Metro Manila make travel for disabled persons difficult. He said there have also been many instances where PWDs are cited for jaywalking violations because they simply cannot use the pedestrian footbridges.

For this, the MMDA will conduct Sensitivity Training for its traffic personnel for them to be fully aware of PWDs? rights and privileges, according to Tolentino.

?We will teach our traffic constables how to deal with PWDs especially while crossing the streets and getting on a public utility vehicles,? the MMDA chief said, citing the difficulty of PWDs in riding passenger jeepneys and buses.

The Civil Service Commission has designated Tolentino as the head of the National Working Committee for the 2012 International Day of PWDs, with the theme ?Removing Barriers to Create an Inclusive and Accessible Society for All,? the International Day of PWDs focuses on promoting accessibility and removing all types of barriers in the society for disabled persons.

Tolentino said there will also be exhibits of prototypes and photographs of the latest PWD facilities and innovations in various government offices and on schools, roads, and footbridges on Monday.

Also invited to the attend the formal launch of the 2012 International Day of PWDs at the MMDA head office in Makati City at 8 am on Monday are Carmen Zubiaga, acting executive director of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), and DSWD Undersecretary Parisya Taradji, who is a concurrent Alternate Chairperson of NCDA. (PNA)
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Source: http://positivenewsmedia.com/blog/2012/12/mmda-leads-observance-of-2012-international-day-of-persons-with-disabilities/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mmda-leads-observance-of-2012-international-day-of-persons-with-disabilities

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