Edsa sidewalks fail accessibility test for PWDs

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) conducted a walking inspection of the sidewalks along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (Edsa) on Tuesday morning.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon and DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez, along with some executives from their respective agencies, began walking from Ayala Avenue in Makati City at 5:30 a.m.

They were joined by the Move as One Coalition, whose representatives used wheelchairs to identify issues faced by not only commuters but also people with disabilities.

The inspection was scheduled to conclude at Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City.

READ: DOTr officials ordered to commute at least once a week

During the inspection, Move as One Coalition’s Sonny Sevilla said traveling in a wheelchair along the thoroughfare is “impossible.”

For most of the walk, the PWD used the bike lane, if not the road dedicated to motor vehicles.

Both Dizon and Lopez also observed steep, high walkways that require stairs to walk on, and no transition ramps.

Some sidewalks also have electric poles obstructing the sidewalks that barely fit one person. /das/abc