National Disability Week (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
Commercial establishments in Cebu City were advised to invest in barrier-free designs to welcome more persons with disabilities (PWDs), short people and even elders to patronize their hotels, restaurants and recreational facilities.
Adela Kono of the Organization of Rehabilitative Advocates for Inclusion (ORAI) said barrier-free designs will boost the government’s campaign to make the city a medical tourism and retirement destination.
“We have to create a more accessible physical environment for people with physical difficulties so those who have time and money to spend would also come to our country especially in Cebu City,” she said.
Kono, acting Mayor Edgar Labella and Councilors Alvin Dizon and Margot Osmeña briefed reporters on features of the city’s Barrier-Free Tourism Ordinance as part of the annual observance of National Disability Week yesterday.
Councilors Dizon, Osmeña, James Cuenco and Leah Japson authored the city’s barrier-free ordinance which the council passed last May.
Requirements
Engineer Josefa Ylana said the city ordinance is the first to be passed in the country.
Dizon said existing establishments have three years to comply with the ordinance which would be part of the requirements for building and occupancy permits of newly built structures.
Labella said establishments who comply with the barrier-free ordinance would get tax credits from the city that would be computed equivalent to half of one year’s worth of business taxes.
The grant of tax credits would be spread within five years.
Sanctions for violators include a P5,000 fine and the revocation of an establishment’s permit to operate. Dizon said a series of consultations with tourism industry players will be held in the next few days to brief them on the ordinance.
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