Praises? Violent reactions to DOTr PWD ramp at new EDSA Busway Philam Station?
The DOTr recently opened the Philam and Kamuning EDSA Busway Stations. The former features a new implement for PWDs, and that is a ramp meant for wheelchair-bound commuters, as well as for the elderly and perhaps even pregnant women. If you haven’t been living under a rock, you’ll know by now that it’s gotten a mix of good words and not-so-good reactions. What’s going on?
EDSA Busway PWD ramp found steeper than actual safety standards
Photo: Philippine News Agency
“Accessibility– ‘yan ang sasagot dito (dahil) magiging friendly siya sa mga seniors at persons with disabilities,” said Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista. Good intentions, of course. But the main problem here is that the constructed ramp was not up to standards.
Analysts have taken a closer look, wheelchair users have tried it out, and here’s the verdict.
Photo: Philippine News Agency
The EDSA Busway PWD ramp found at the Philam Station is – allegedly – 10 degrees steeper than is normal. That said, for those who use wheelchairs, going up or down the ramp will pose dangers for them. Despite the “textured” surface, it’s still made of metal and with no covers alongside, strong rains will inevitably make the surface wet. That’s one. Second, going up such a steep angle will be tiring and very cumbersome to those in a wheelchair.
Going down poses a similar threat. Reports say that a PWD singled out the fact that along with the angle of the decline, should a wheelchair slip, and despite metal barriers, gaps still exist where they can possibly go through should they uncontrollably slide downwards. That, and the metal bars themselves will hurt anyone crashing into them.
Photo: Philippine News Agency
Defending the EDSA Busway PWD ramp, the DOTr stated something along the lines of it was the only possible way to incorporate a ramp and an elevator to provide direct access for users. Again, good intentions, but as it stands, it may pose more of a danger than convenience. That said, the MMDA personnel will be deployed to help those who will use the ramp. Now you can imagine how that will likely play out. A sea of people using the ramp, wheelchairs, slower-moving seniors; you get the picture.
Add to that the problem of the elevator’s glass panels having been destroyed by rocks, the DOTr EDSA Busway’s improvements have bigger fish to fry, and more issues to deal with.
What are your thoughts on the EDSA Busway ramp? If any of our readers happen to be PWDs or seniors, your comments would be invaluable! This one’s for everyone, and mainly for you, so if you have any reactions of any sort, do chime into the comments. We’d love to know your comments on EDSA’s newest, err, “mountain”.
