MANILA – The controversial wheelchair ramp at the EDSA-Philam station in Quezon City is to be closed from improvements, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced.
According to MMDA acting chair Romando Artes, they decided to close the ramp for the meantime as a wheelchair lift is to be installed and the ramp will be adjusted to be useful for persons with disabilities (PWDs) using wheelchairs.
“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 said in a media forum over the weekend.
“In the meantime, isasara po muna namin habang ginagawa. Maghahagdan muna po ang ating mga kababayan,” added Artes, who said that the repair works will take one to two months.
The controversial wheelchair ramp has drawn negative reactions online as it was deemed too steep for PWDs using wheelchairs.
However, Artes still defended the controversial ramp, saying that it is not too steep despite the National Council on Disability Affairs stating that it is difficult for persons with disabilities to use.
“’Yung 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.
“Ito po ay inilagay pa rin namin dahil po marami pa rin naman pong PWDs ang puwedeng gumamit, gaya ng buntis, medyo pilay lang ng kaunti, senior citizens. Marami pa rin pong makikinabang dito,” he added.
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./PN
