MMDA to close controversial wheelchair ramp for improvements | ABS-CBN
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MMDA to close controversial wheelchair ramp for improvements
MMDA to close controversial wheelchair ramp for improvements
A ramp at the Philam QC station of the EDSA Busway in Quezon City for persons with disabilities goes viral deemed as too steep for its intended users, specifically wheelchair-bound users, taken on July 18, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
A ramp at the Philam QC station of the EDSA Busway in Quezon City for persons with disabilities goes viral deemed as too steep for its intended users, specifically wheelchair-bound users, taken on July 18, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Saturday said it will close the wheelchair ramp at the EDSA-Philam station in Quezon City as the agency seeks to improve it in the face of widespread criticism.
MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Saturday said it will close the wheelchair ramp at the EDSA-Philam station in Quezon City as the agency seeks to improve it in the face of widespread criticism.
In a media forum in Quezon City, MMDA acting chairman Romando Artes said a wheelchair lift will be installed and the ramp will be adjusted at the busway to address criticism that it is too steep for wheelchair users.
In a media forum in Quezon City, MMDA acting chairman Romando Artes said a wheelchair lift will be installed and the ramp will be adjusted at the busway to address criticism that it is too steep for wheelchair users.
“Sa amin po kasing observation, wala halos gumagamit ng bus carousel na naka-wheelchair. Buti na lang na-criticize din po kami kaya napag-isipan naman po kung paano ia-address ‘yong issue,” Artes told reporters.
“Sa amin po kasing observation, wala halos gumagamit ng bus carousel na naka-wheelchair. Buti na lang na-criticize din po kami kaya napag-isipan naman po kung paano ia-address ‘yong issue,” Artes told reporters.
(From our observation, not very many people in wheelchairs use the bus carousel. But it is good that we were criticized so we were prompted to think about how to address the issue.)
(From our observation, not very many people in wheelchairs use the bus carousel. But it is good that we were criticized so we were prompted to think about how to address the issue.)
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Improvements for the ramp and necessary civil works for the installation of the lift already started on Saturday morning. The overall improvement will take one to two months, according to Artes.
Improvements for the ramp and necessary civil works for the installation of the lift already started on Saturday morning. The overall improvement will take one to two months, according to Artes.
“In the meantime isasara po muna namin habang ginagawa. Maghahagdan muna po ang ating mga kababayan,” he said.
“In the meantime isasara po muna namin habang ginagawa. Maghahagdan muna po ang ating mga kababayan,” he said.
(We will close access to that while we fix it. So, people will have to use the stairs for now)
(We will close access to that while we fix it. So, people will have to use the stairs for now)
Artes said the government will no longer release funds for the improvement as the contractor agreed to shoulder all the additional expenses.
Artes said the government will no longer release funds for the improvement as the contractor agreed to shoulder all the additional expenses.
Artes, however, maintained that the ramp is not too steep despite the National Council on Disability Affairs saying after an inspection that it is difficult for persons with disabilities to use.
Artes, however, maintained that the ramp is not too steep despite the National Council on Disability Affairs saying after an inspection that it is difficult for persons with disabilities to use.
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“’Yong anggulo na nag-viral sa Facebook, mukha siyang slide. Pero kung titingnan niyo po sa other angle niya, hindi naman po siya ganon katarik,” Artes said.
“’Yong anggulo na nag-viral sa Facebook, mukha siyang slide. Pero kung titingnan niyo po sa other angle niya, hindi naman po siya ganon katarik,” Artes said.
(The angle in the photos on Facebook make it look like a slide. But if you look at it from other angles, it is not that steep.)
(The angle in the photos on Facebook make it look like a slide. But if you look at it from other angles, it is not that steep.)
MMDA recently admitted through a statement that the ramp connecting the elevator and the footbridge was “imperfectly designed” due to a height restriction imposed by the Metro Rail Transit.
MMDA recently admitted through a statement that the ramp connecting the elevator and the footbridge was “imperfectly designed” due to a height restriction imposed by the Metro Rail Transit.
“Ito po ay inilagay pa rin namin despite that dahil po marami pa rin naman pong PWDs ang puwedeng gumamit, gaya ng buntis, medyo pilay lang ng kaunti, senior citizen. Marami pa rin pong makikinabang dito,” he said.
“Ito po ay inilagay pa rin namin despite that dahil po marami pa rin naman pong PWDs ang puwedeng gumamit, gaya ng buntis, medyo pilay lang ng kaunti, senior citizen. Marami pa rin pong makikinabang dito,” he said.
(We put that there despite that because many can still use it, like pregnant women, those with only slight disabilities, senior citizens. There are many who can still use this.
(We put that there despite that because many can still use it, like pregnant women, those with only slight disabilities, senior citizens. There are many who can still use this.
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