Senator Grace Poe expressed her dismay on the construction of the new busway ramp at PhilAm-EDSA station in Quezon City.
In her statement, Poe highlighted that the lack of PWD-friendly facilities in the country should not be a reason to pursue projects that are deemed unsafe towards Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) or special needs. She backed her stance by stating that projects like such must be immediately fixed before an accident occurs, as it can endanger the commuters' life and safety.
Poe called out the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said that public funds must be utilized in the right manner and must not waste the hard-earned taxpayers' money.
Her evident disappointment echoed with the public's cry on its design.
The busway ramp was initially catered to PWDs to provide efficiency in their commutes. However, wheelchair users find it too steep, posing threat on their safety.
In a facebook statement, the MMDA rebutted Poe's remarks, informing the public that the MRT required a specific height restriction for them to follow. They then added that the ramp is not too steep to walk in, compared to the now viral photo.
The MMDA will deploy personnel for PWDs who need assistance with the ramp.
“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 is not perfectly designed, especially for those who use wheelchairs, but it is still a big help for senior citizens, pregnant women, and other PWDs instead of going up the stairs),” the MMDA said in their social media post.
