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MMDA says busway PWD ramp improvements underway

Article (news)

Johnson Manabat

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) acting chairman Atty. Romando Artes on Thursday apologized to the public for the imperfect design of its EDSA Busway person with disability (PWD) ramp in Quezon City.In an ambush interview on Thursday, Artes explained that of out of the 5 bus stations along EDSA with newly installed elevator and PWD ramps, only the Philam Station in Quezon City has a questionably-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,” according to Artes.Artes said the agency consulted experts before constructing the said 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,” Artes said.PWD advocate and founder of Bgy. Comembo PWD Association in Taguig City Lalaine Guanzon asked government officials not to violate the Accessibility Law or Batas Pambansa Bilang 344.”Huwag n’yo na hintayin kayo yung maupo sa wheelchair to realize how important the accessibility,” Guanzon said.”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 said under the Accessibility Law or Batas Pambansa Bilang 344, for every meter of ramp for PWDs, only 12 centimeters gradient are allowed for safety of those who will use the ramp.“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.According to Artes, the agency is will have another round of consultations with a group of architects and experts. The MMDA will conduct another inspection to improve 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 promised.

Artes said that of out of the 5 bus stations along EDSA with newly installed elevator and PWD ramps, only the Philam Station in Quezon City has a questionably-inclined ramp.

Artes said that of out of the 5 bus stations along EDSA with newly installed elevator and PWD ramps, only the Philam Station in Quezon City has a questionably-inclined ramp.