MANILA — Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairman Atty. Romando Artes issued an apology on Thursday for the less-than-ideal design of the EDSA Busway ramp for persons with disabilities (PWD) at the Philam Station in Quezon City.
In an ambush interview, Artes explained that among the five bus stations on EDSA with new elevators and PWD ramps, only the Philam Station has an improperly inclined ramp.
“Alam naman po namin na talagang hindi ideal yung gagawin namin na rampa….lima po yan na nilagyan namin ng ganyan na man lift, marami naman po diyan hindi ganyan kasi ina-allow nung espasyo na hindi maging matarik. Ine-encourage ko po kayo na pasyalan…na hindi siya matarik na talagang PWD friendly. Ito lamang po talagang isang istasyon na ito, pinag-isipan namin kung maglalagay or hindi. Ang option lang po, ito or wala,” Artes stated.
Artes emphasized that the agency consulted experts before constructing the ramp.
“Ako po ay humihingi ng paumanhin sa ating mga kababayan kung ang impression n’yo ay hindi po siya pinag-isipan…hindi po, pinag-isipan po namin itong mabuti,” he added.
PWD advocate and founder of Bgy. Comembo PWD Association in Taguig City, Lalaine Guanzon, urged government officials to adhere to the Accessibility Law (Batas Pambansa Bilang 344).
”Huwag n’yo na hintayin kayo yung maupo sa wheelchair to realize how important the accessibility,” Guanzon stated.
”Una natuwa ako, sabi ko yes may rampa…sabi ko sa wakas makakasakay na ako ng carousel bus – tapos nung ano – bigla akong nalungkot, sabi ko ano to, sabi ko makakasakay ba ako nito o baka ito pa ikamatay namin, sobrang napaka-stiff,” she added.
Transport expert Engr. Rene Santiago highlighted that under the Accessibility Law, the gradient for PWD ramps should be 12 centimeters for every meter to ensure safety.
“Yung batas ang sabi 1:12 gradient, eh mukhang sa nakita kong picture lampas yun, meaning medyo matarik – mahirap itulak ang wheelchair o kaya on your own paikutin yung gulong,” Santiago told ABS-CBN News.
Artes announced that the agency will consult with architects and experts again to improve the ramp’s design. The MMDA will also conduct further inspections to enhance the service of the bus carousel.
“Don naman sa aspeto na hindi pinag-isipan…hindi po, talaga pong piga-utak ang ginawa namin diyan para malagyan pa rin despite the challenges na malagyan ng elevator, kasi ang option lang natin, ilagay siya as is na medyo matarik yung rampa or wala talagang elevator na gagamit lang po ng hagdan yung ating mga kababayan,” Artes assured.