Have you seen the new PWD wheelchair ramps that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) revealed to the public recently? If you live in the Philippines and spend enough time on social media, you probably have.
The new infrastructure project is making headlines this week, but not for the right reasons. The ramp was supposedly built to enable easier PWD access to the EDSA Busway stations, but it’s now drawing flak as the ramp appears to be too steep and seemingly slippery for any wheelchair users to use.
GMA News shared an actual video of Nelson Belo, a PWD from the non-profit organization Life Haven, trying to use the ramp going down. We’ll let the clip do the talking.
Video of the MMDA wheelchair ramp in use
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The videos and photos going viral were taken at the new Philam QC station of the EDSA Busway. The ramp is now being dubbed ‘too dangerous’ for PWDs.
In a separate report by GMA News Online, an architect who helped create the IRR of Batas Pambansa No. 344 or the Accessibility Law pointed out that the ramp was 10 degrees steeper than the standard.
The MMDA has since released a statement on the viral wheelchair ramp. The agency said that there were height restrictions from the MRT that were followed which was why the elevator wasn’t level with the footbridge.
“Hindi ito perpektong disenyo lalo na sa mga naka-wheelchair pero malaking tulong pa rin ito para sa mga senior citizens, buntis at ibang PWDs sa halip na umakyat gamit ang hagdan,” the MMDA said in its statement. The agency also said it will deploy personnel to assist PWDs go up or down the ramp.
What do you guys think, though? We’d like to hear your thoughts in the comments.
