MANILA, Philippines — The now-viral ramp at EDSA-Philam station in Quezon City which is deemed risky for pregnant women and persons with disability (PWDs) might not have a “perfect design” but it’s still helpful for them, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said.
Shortly after the MMDA faced clash on social media for building a ramp so steep and tagged by commuters “unfriendly” for PWDs and pregnant women, the bureau said that there is a height restriction for the MRT that the MMDA followed, which made it impossible to align the elevator 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,” it said in a statement.
According to the MMDA, it will assign a personnel to assist PWDs in using the ramp
“Magtatalaga ang MMDA ng mga kawani para umasiste sa mga PWDs kung mahirapan sila pumanhik ng rampa,” it said.
According to a report, a PWD attempted to use the ramp with a wheelchair and found it too dangerous due to its steep incline.
Armand Eustaquio, who helped craft the implementing rules and regulations of Batas Pambansa No. 344, the Accessibility Law, noted that the PWD ramp was ten degrees steeper than the standard.
Eustaquio discovered that the controversial ramp was inclined at 14.15 degrees.
According to the implementing rules and regulations of Batas Pambansa No. 344, PWD ramps must have an incline of 4.8 degrees.
Following the statement, concerned citizens criticized the MMDA, describing the ramp project as another “better than nothing” initiative.
The MMDA also noted that the ramp was installed due to limited space, and without it, the elevator could not be added to the structure, which is intended for the convenience of commuters using the busway station.
