Public outcry erupted over a recently installed ramp at an EDSA busway Station in Quezon City. Designed to assist wheelchair users, the ramp instead sparked criticism for its steep incline and questionable material.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), responsible for the ramp's construction, faced calls for accountability. Many Filipinos expressed concerns on social media, likening the ramp to a "slide" and questioning its safety, particularly during rainy weather.
The MMDA defended the project in a statement, citing height restrictions imposed by the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) that prevented them from building a standard-grade ramp. They acknowledged the ramp's shortcomings for wheelchair users but claimed it would still benefit senior citizens, pregnant women, and others needing mobility assistance.
The agency pledged to assign personnel to aid wheelchair users struggling with the ramp and downplayed its steepness in photos. However, netizens remained unsatisfied.
Social media users demanded the MMDA be held responsible for the flawed design, with some calling for project's officials' termination and legal action. Critics pointed out the unnecessary personnel costs and the ramp's ineffectiveness for its intended users. even with assistance.
The controversy highlighted the gap between the project's purpose and its execution. While the MMDA justified the ramp due to MRT restrictions, some argued this shouldn't have been a reason to proceed with an unusable design.
Neomie io, Director of the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center, confirmed the MRT's limitations led to the steeper-than-normal ramp. The MMDA also promised to install handrails for added support.
However, Architect Armand Eustquio, involved in crafting accessibility law regulations, revealed the ramp's actual incline significantly exceeded safety standards. Wheelchair user Nelson Belo further confirmed its impracticality, unable to use it independently and fearing potential danger when going down.
Belo echoed the call for user consultation in future projects, emphasizing the importance of involving those who would directly benefit from such initiatives.
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