The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) on Sunday threw its support behind the Department of Transportation’s (DoTr) new accessibility policy, which mandates standardized assistance for commuters with disabilities across all national railway systems.

The Accessible Travel Policy (ATP) Guidelines are designed to make public transit safer and more inclusive for persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and pregnant passengers.

The NCDA described the move as a significant step toward “independent mobility” for millions of Filipinos.

Under the new guidelines, railway operators must provide disability awareness and gender sensitivity training for staff, wheelchair boarding assistance, and accessible audio and visual announcements.

The policy also requires the installation of designated help points and the conduct of regular accessibility audits.

“Accessible transportation is not a special accommodation; it is a basic right,” the NCDA said in a statement.

The council cited that the guidelines are being integrated into the country’s flagship infrastructure projects, including the North-South Commuter Railway and the Metro Manila Subway.

The policy aligns with the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities and the Accessibility Law, as well as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has previously called for a transportation system that removes barriers for all sectors of society.

The NCDA said it would continue to work with the transportation department and railway operators to ensure the standards are effectively implemented in both new and existing stations.