The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) unveiled E-buses specifically designed for persons with disability that will soon ply Metro Manila roads, in a bid to make transportation more accessible and inclusive.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the e-buses, which will be operated under their Sustainable Livelihood Program, has an initial fleet of 20 units, the e-buses feature ramps and spaces for wheelchairs, as well as CCTVs to monitor safety of passengers.

“Dapat maging mainstream ang public transpo na ito. Ang utos ng Pangulo nung nagsimula ako, yung proteksyon para sa bulnerable ay malawak,” Gatchalian added.

(We should use this public transportation on a wider scale. The President ordered me to protect the vulnerable sector when I started as DSWD chief.)

The e-buses currently operate as corporate shuttles for companies in Taguig City but will soon roll out as a mode of public transportation, with Quezon City destinations eyed as its first routes.

The buses have an app to ensure PWDs will not have to wait outside to get a ride. In the app, the rider can check the routes and destinations and know where to board.

“Maraming may kapansanan ang productive members ng workforce natin at nahihirapan humanap ng sasakyan na safe at accessible,” Gatchalian said.

“Sa madaling panahon, kapag dumami na ito, ay magkakaroon na siya ng ruta,” he added.

Gatchalian highlighted that for the buses to work efficiently, structures such as bus stops must also be PWD friendly.

PWD groups under the agency’s Sustainable Livelihood Program will be part of the management of the e-bus operations.

According to the National Council for Disability Affairs, there are more than 2 million registered PWD Filipinos, accounting to almost 2 percent of our population.