THE Cebu City Council wants Mayor Tomas Osmeña to activate the Cebu City Council for the Welfare of the Disabled Persons (CCWDP) to allow the City Government to fully address the concerns of persons with disabilities (PWD) and respond to their special needs.
The City Council is also requesting the Office of the Mayor to provide enough and suitable space within the vicinity of City Hall and Plaza Sugbo as parking area for PWDs.
In a privilege speech during the regular session of the Council on Tuesday, February 19, Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera said that City Ordinance No. 2020, CCWDP is mandated to implement the provisions of the Magna Carta for disabled persons in the local level.
Pesquera said a complaint reached her office that City Hall has actually failed in providing the PWDs the necessary facilities to ensure their mobility.
Pesquera said there is also gaps in implementing City Ordinance No. 1677, which seeks to promote mobility and convenience among PWDs by allowing motor vehicles transporting disabled persons to park or stand in no parking zones for a limited period of time.
Under the said ordinance, Pesquera said private motor vehicles that are used or intended for use of PWDs should apply for accreditation with the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO).
Once accredited, CCTO will issue a sticker which should be placed to a motor vehicle to signify that is being used to transport a PWD.
“However, upon verification with CCTO and DSWS (Department of Social Welfare and Services), it is DSWS which is issuing the stickers and not CCTO and that there are NGOs (non-governmental organization) with PWD members who are selling similar stickers for free,” Pesquera said.
The situation, Pesquera said should be looked upon by the Office of the Mayor through CCWDP.