Ref.: Anna Ferrer / Mariecar Jara-Puyod
6473452 / 6473491 local 29846 / 8540984
August 2, 2004
An organization working for the blind and visually-impaired acknowledged two handicap-friendly transportation establishments in observance of the National White Cane Day on Sunday.
White Cane Day is held on August 1 in celebration of the independence of the blind from their handicap through the use of a folded metal white cane, and as a special day to remind the public about the needed concern for this special people.
The two establishments awarded by the Parent Advocates for Visually Impaired Children (PAVIC) were the Light Rail Transit Authority - Line 2 / Purple Line and Victory Liner.
PAVIC is a non-stock, non-profit organization formed in 1999 as a support system to children, who are either blind or suffering from low vision, and their families. On its registry are 120 children, between two years old and 13 years old, who have been or have become blind due to cataract, glaucoma, optic nerve hypoplasia, retinal detachment, retinitis pigmentosa, retinoblastoma and retinopathy of prematurity. Among its several projects was the publication of Braille self-study books and peg boards.
In a letter e-mailed to the Public Relations Office of LRT 2, PAVIC, through Linda Choy, one of the executive committee members and wife of PAVIC president Francis Choy wrote: "We find the facilities of LRT 2 very friendly to the disabled, and we like to give due recognition for your efforts."
Mrs. Choy was referring to the glass elevators with Braille buttons meant not only for the visually impaired but for other persons with disabilities as well as pregnant women and senior citizens and the Lego-like pathfinding tactiles which are salient in all the 11 stations of the mass rail system from Pasig City, Quezon City, San Juan and Manila.
Incidentally, all Purple Line stations also have wheelchair ramps and all its 18 South Korean trains have designated open spaces for the wheelchair-bound.
"We have noted the elevators especially designated for disabled persons, the embossed flooring leading a blind to the elevator and to the boarding platform (pathfinding tactiles), Braille elevator buttons. All these features make the travel of a disabled person easier," she also said.
Futhermore, Choy cited the friendliness of the LRT 2 Station Operations Division personnel and the accommodation they accord to PWDs.
Meanwhile, LRTA Administrator Pacifico Fajardo gave the assurance that the daily reminders on customer relations, especially to the PWDs will continue.
Bestowing the award to the Purple Line and to Victory Liner for the efforts of the bus company to reserve the front rows to persons with disabilities, Choy said: "We believe it is very important that your concern for the disabled be brought to the public so as to encourage other transport systems to do the same."
LRT 2 Public Relations Chief Mariecar Jara-Puyod received the award on behalf of management which was presented in the awarding ceremonies held at Shangri-la Plaza.
Fajardo was in South Korea for an official business.
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