The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) on Sunday welcomed and expressed full support for the Department of Transportation (DOTr) adoption of the Accessible Travel Policy (ATP) Guidelines for all railway operations nationwide.

NCDA said the move marks a major step toward making public transportation safer, more comfortable, and more inclusive, particularly for persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, pregnant passengers, and other commuters who face daily access challenges.

According to NCDA, the ATP Guidelines translate the government’s commitment to inclusive mobility into concrete action. The measures include training railway staff on disability awareness and gender sensitivity, providing wheelchair boarding assistance, ensuring accessible audio and visual announcements, setting up clear help points, and conducting regular accessibility audits to remove barriers in the transport system.

The council said the policy aligns with Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision for a transport system that is welcoming and accessible to everyone.

NCDA highlighted that the guidelines are anchored on existing Philippine laws, including the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities, the Accessibility Law, and the Expanded Senior Citizens Act, which mandate accessible public services. The policy also supports the country’s commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, particularly on accessibility and independent mobility.

The ATP Guidelines are being integrated into major railway projects such as the North-South Commuter Railway and the Metro Manila Subway Project, embedding accessibility in both new and existing systems and setting a clear national standard for inclusive transport.

NCDA said it remains committed to working with the DOTr, railway operators, the media, and the disability community to ensure effective implementation of the policy, stressing that accessible transportation is a basic right and a key pillar of a more inclusive and equitable Philippines.