Monday, December 11, 2006

Week 4: News Story

Launched Program for the Handicapped in Mandaluyong City


A program for the handicapped was launched last Friday, December 8, 2006 in Mandaluyong City. This said program promises to ensure the disabled members of our society, particularly those who are from Mandaluyong City a better and safer access to public transportations particularly to tricycle transportations.

This program intends to remind the tricycle drivers to give the disabled members of the society a priority. Legible and responsible tricycle drivers were given stickers to be put in their tricycle so they can be easily seen and picked out by the disabled persons. This said sticker holds certain privileges for the disabled such as; it promotes the rights of the disabled person, serves as a reminder for their needs (special needs), etc. Tricycles with this said sticker are allowed to transport emergency cases (to hospitals, offices, other establishments and to other places they need to be). Also, they are given the right to go beyond their designated routes and cannot be charge for any violations by the existing traffic rules or traffic officers when they are transporting handicapped passengers.

The “Mandaluyong City Disabled Persons Affairs Division” and the “Tricycles Foundation” issued a signed memorandum for the handicapped, saying that they should not to be discriminated by any public utility drivers but rather they should be given extra understanding to their needs and to be prioritized at all times.

Also, an Accessibility Law Governing Physically-Challenge Individuals was put up by the local city government, with an ordinance which states that all devices like well-known exhibition of posters or stickers will be used to promote and uplift the awareness of the public to the rights of the handicapped and teach them to understand their special needs. This way not only the tricycle or public utility drivers but also the mass people can easily access, be taught and be aware of this said program for the disabled persons.

Certainly, the Mandaluyong City officials are seriously looking for more ways to promote this new program that they had launched and which intends to promote the right of the handicapped people in our community, this project surely aspires to uplift and understand their needs. Give assistance, to those sometimes “mis-understood” members of our community and at times neglected. The Mandaluyong officials intends to stretch their arms and give help to those who really need their attention and to be prioritized.

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