MANILA – Move as One, a coalition advocating for sustainable and inclusive transport in the Philippines, has called for a more proactive approach to mobility accessibility. 

It emphasized that their needs must be integrated into city planning rather than treated as an afterthought.

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“Lagi nating ginagamit ang salitang ‘inclusive’ pero minsan pakiramdam namin, parang tokenism lang. Naiisip lang kami kapag may insidente, kapag may nakita ang media. Pero paano kung wala? Kasama ba talaga kami sa plano?” said Dr. Maureen Ava Mata, the coalition’s communications consultant, who relies on crutches for mobility.

She said that the issue goes beyond roads and transportation and even basic safety measures at home require thoughtful consideration. 

“Dahil senior citizen ang nanay ko at may kapansanan ako for 33 years na, ang una naming iniisip ay dapat ligtas ang loob ng bahay. Nagpalagay kami ng grab bar para maiwasan ang aksidente sa banyo,” she added.

However, she mentioned that the challenge intensifies upon stepping outside.

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“Kapag may pupuntahan kami, iniisip namin saan ang daan na may pinaka-kaunting barriers. Hindi pwede yung nakikipag-bunuan pa kami para lang makasakay,” she said.

She also urged policymakers to actively involve them in discussions about public infrastructure and mobility. “Hindi lang dapat kami naiisip kapag sensational ang kwento. Dapat, kasama kami sa mismong planning stage—kasama sa lamesa, may upuan, may boses,” she emphasized.

With the growing call for better accessibility, they hope that inclusivity will move beyond rhetoric and become an integral part of urban development.