TRENDING: Social media users give their funny takes on the viral EDSA-Philam busway ramp
After drawing backlash, the viral wheelchair ramp at the new EDSA busway's Philam station in Quezon City has now become the subject of memes.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) drew backlash with their newly constructed wheelchair ramp supposedly to “help” those persons with disabilities (PWDs) to navigate the area.
Instead of using the stairs, PWDs may take the elevator to go to the ramp as their way to the footbridge. However, many social media users pointed out how it was built dangerously steep not just for PWDs, but also for the elderly, children, and pregnant women.
Following the backlash, the MMDA released its official statement on Wednesday, July 17, explaining that they had to follow a height restriction for the MRT.
"[K]aya hindi naging posible na ipantay ang elevator sa footbridge," it said. The ramp was the means of access between the elevator and the footbridge.
The MMDA noted that while the ramp's design is imperfect, it's still beneficial—especially to senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities.
“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 said.
"Magtatalaga ang MMDA ng mga kawani para umasiste sa mga PWDs kung mahirapan sila pumanhik ng rampa," the MMDA added. They also dismissed comments about it being too steep.
After becoming viral, Filipino social media users made sure to express their reactions through hilarious memes. Here are some of the funniest and wittiest entries that PhilSTAR L!fe has come across online.
What if you can travel to Laguna via a huge slide? A Facebook user also mocked the wheelchair ramp by editing it as a big water slide, it’s so steep that you can slide your way from EDSA in Quezon City to Brgy. Turbina in Calamba, Laguna in one go.
Another one also edited a photo of it being a water slide, leading to a huge pool.
Meanwhile, others put it into an anime context. Facebook user Ace Viray brought Demon Slayer trio Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke on the steep ramp after falling into the infinity castle.
Remember the famous meme from the classic animated series Heidi, Girl of the Alps? It birthed another version, but this time, Heidi “pushed” Clara out of the wheelchair while they were on the controversial steep ramp.
For Roblox players, one social media user edited it as one of the ramps for a Ride a box down a slide game.
Another social media user also made up a hilarious conversation between an “engineer” and the “architect” of the ramp, misunderstanding that the “PWD” in the text meant a shortcut for “pwede.” In the wise words of Taylor Swift, “Miscommunication leads to fall out.”
Facebook user Krizette Chu also shared a hilarious point of view of those in wheelchairs when they use the steep ramp.