PIA-7 Director Minerva Newman recently announced the selection of new advocates for a barrier-free Central Visayas in a meeting of the ICB cluster of the Regional KALAHI Convergence Group at the DOST complex in Sudlon, Lahug last October 21. The new advocates are the city and provincial development planning officers and members of the KALAHI Institutional Capacity Building (ICB) cluster of which Director Newman is the chairperson. The KALAHI program is coordinated by the National Economic and Development Authority-7 while waiting for the new presidential assistant of the region. The new advocates will campaign for a barrier - free environment in the region and promote tourism for the elderly and people with disabilities (PWD).

Resource Person Adela Kono of the Organization of Rehabilitation Agencies disclosed during the meeting that hundreds of PWD tourists have signified their intention to visit Cebu and other provinces but the region is not prepared for these tourists because of barriers that inhibit their movement. At the meeting, the planning officers created powerpoint presentations to spread the message of the importance of a barrier-free environment in their respective LGUs. They will advocate to their mayors and respective LGUs by convincing them to install ramps and PWD-friendly toilets that are of universal standards for persons with disabilities. DOST-7 Regional Director Rene Burt Llanto who hosted the event expressed his support for a barrier-free environment in his closing remarks.