PWDs call for inclusive sidewalks, walkways in EDSA

Persons with disabilities (PWDs) are urging the government to make EDSA inclusive for everyone amid the planned rehabilitation of the major thoroughfare in Metro Manila. 

According to Oscar Oida’s report in “24 Oras” on Wednesday, the Partnership for Inclusion, Accessibility, and Safety EDSA (PIASE) went to a busway station through a sidewalk to prove their point regarding the inconvenience they experience when traversing EDSA. 

“Dapat ito makita ng mga nagpa-plano ng ating mga rampa, lalo yung sa pag-akyat papunta sa busway o sa carousel natin. Dapat unahin yung safety,” said wheelchair user Rommel San Pascual. 

(I hope the planners will see the situation of the ramps, especially when climbing up going to the busway or carousel. I hope they prioritize our safety.) 

San Pascual shared that he sometimes relies on people’s kindness whenever he needs to use the footbridge due to the absence of an elevator. 

Meanwhile, Gene Alog, who uses a prosthetic leg, was able to climb up the footbridge but admits the experience was still a challenge for him. 

“Sana yung mga ganitong overpass meron pong elevator o kaya pag dun sa bandang taas doon, may walkathon para di po kami mahirapang mga PWD,” he lamented. 

(I hope an overpass like this will have an elevator or there will be a walkathon up there so that PWDs like us will not have a difficulty.) 

PIASE is hoping that the government will consider PWDs in the rehabilitation of EDSA. 

“Dahil ire-rehab ang EDSA ay makasama po sana kami sa kukunsultahin,” said San Pascual. 

(Since EDSA will be rehabilitated, I hope they will also consult us.)

GMA Integrated News reached out to the Department of Transportation for comment. 

Newly- appointedted Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon earlier mulled the idea of privatization of the EDSA Bus Carousel after he observed that the elevators were not working properly. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News