‘Steep’ wheelchair ramp at EDSA Busway’s Philam QC station criticized

July 17, 2024 , 07:02 PM

(July 17, 2024) — A recent photo from the Philippine News Agency (PNA) of a “steep” wheelchair access ramp at the newly opened Philam QC station of the EDSA Busway has sparked discussions on social media.

Netizens have expressed their concerns about the ramp’s steepness, with one user joking that it looks more like a slide and another suggesting it could be used for a skateboarding competition.

Upon inspection, the ramp appears steep from a particular angle. It is comparable to the wheelchair access ramp at Don Antonio in Commonwealth, Quezon City, which is considered one of the easiest to use in Metro Manila by people with disabilities (PWDs).

The ramp is intended to facilitate access for PWDs to and from the lower platform where buses are boarded. However, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), which collaborated on the construction, admitted that the ramp is somewhat steep.

According to the National Building Code, for every inch of rise, the ramp should have a 12-inch length to prevent excessive steepness. This standard was not met in this case.

Joshua Rodriguez, the project head for the EDSA Busway, acknowledged that the team identified the issue a week before the inauguration. Despite recognizing the irregularity, the detailed design was not corrected in time. The DOTr has since contacted the contractor to rectify the slope, potentially extending the ramp to make the incline more gentle.

In the meantime, authorities will install rubber mats on the access ramp to prevent slipping.

Five new footbridges, including this one, were constructed to help passengers board buses on the EDSA Busway.

A group representing PWDs emphasized the need for all busway stations to be accessible.

Lalaine Guanzon, coordinator of the Mabini Movement, highlighted ongoing issues with accessibility and urged the government to ensure compliance with accessibility guidelines. She also expressed hope that all train lines would become fully accessible to PWDs in the future.

(With reports from Gerard de la Peña, News5)

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