LUNA, Apayao – Ramps. Rails. Markings on the floor. Things most passersby overlook, but for persons with disabilities, they make the difference between independence and exclusion.
In a two-day convergence meeting that pulled in planners, implementers, and compliance checkers, the Provincial Council on Disability Affairs (PCDA) held its Physical Accessibility Training alongside its First Semester Meeting last March 27–28 in Luna.
Organized by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), the session made one thing clear: accessibility is no longer a footnote, it is a front-row issue.
In her message, PSWDO head Jocelyn Loyon, referenced the province’s perfect 100% in the DILG’s Provincial Disability Affairs Office functionality audit. “It is not just about being compliant. It is about doing right by our people.”
Legal standards under Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 were broken down. Participants discussed what is working, what is missing, and why some buildings, old or new, still fall short. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Apayao’s new office and the upcoming Legislative Hall were put under the microscope in an unannounced accessibility audit. Findings will inform future design protocols and local ordinances.
Moreover, simulated disaster scenarios revealed how quickly persons with disabilities are left behind in evacuation plans and response strategies. The takeaway: if they are not factored in from the start, they will be left out when it matters most.
By the end of the meeting, the council outlined key activities for its 2025 work and financial plan. Focus areas include stronger compliance monitoring, more local government orientation, and faster feedback loops from the ground.
Representing Governor Elias C. Bulut Jr., Provincial Administrator Arnold Castillo reminded the council that real accessibility is the sum of small decisions made with awareness. “A province can build all the roads it wants, but if people with disabilities cannot walk through the front door, then we have missed the point,” he said. By Apayao PIO
