Sen. Binay to transport companies: show more compassion

Senator Nancy Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – A senator urged transport companies to be “more compassionate to passengers, especially to those with special needs.

Senator Nancy Binay made the appeal on Tuesday as she expressed dismay over the recent incident of an airline company that off-loaded a 12-year-old child suffering from a congenital deformity over claims of a defective passport.

Binay pointed out that the right to travel is enshrined in the Constitution.

“Marami na po tayong naririnig at nababasang mga balita tungkol sa mga ‘horror stories’ ng mga pasahero, lalo na po ‘yung may mga special needs.  Kaya umaapela po ako sa mga transportation companies—‘di lang po ‘yung mga airlines—na irespeto ang mga karapatan at kapakanan ng mga pasahero nila,” she added in a statement.

(We hear and read in the news a lot about the horrific experiences of passengers, especially those with special needs. That’s why I’m appealing to transportation companies – not only the airlines – to respect the rights and welfare of their passengers)

“Ginagarantiyahan ng ating Saligang Batas ang karapatang maglakbay ng mga mamamayan, maliban na lamang kung interes ito ng national security, public safety, o public health,” Binay said.

(The right to travel is enshrined in our Constitution except when it (violates) national security, public safety or public health)

The company, which drew flak from netizens, then allowed the boy and his family to fly the next day after the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that the passport had no defect and issued the boy a temporary passport.

Binay said that transportation companies—be they involved in land, sea or air travel—have an obligation to their passengers.

“Bilang serbisyo publiko, may obligasyon sila sa atin bilang mga pasahero na dalhin tayo sa ating mga destinasyon ng maayos at matiwasay,” said Binay, who advocates the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities (PWDs).

(As a public service, they have an obligation to us as passengers to bring us safely to our destinations).

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