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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DSWD makes transportation safer for PWDs

DSWD makes transportation safer for PWDs

Published Jun 17, 2025 02:39 pm
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian joins a test run of the Persons with Disabilities Electric Transportation Services electric bus along Batasan Hills, Quezon City, on June 17, 2025. The initiative, under the DSWD-Sustainable Livelihood Program, supports persons with disabilities with disability-friendly e-vehicles for sustainable income. (DSWD Photo)
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian joins a test run of the Persons with Disabilities Electric Transportation Services electric bus along Batasan Hills, Quezon City, on June 17, 2025. The initiative, under the DSWD-Sustainable Livelihood Program, supports persons with disabilities with disability-friendly e-vehicles for sustainable income. (DSWD Photo)
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has added electric buses to its existing fleet to provide safer and more comfortable transportation for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The renewed focus on PWD safety comes amid public concern after a viral social media post on June 13 showed a man with autism being physically abused inside a public utility bus.
During an inspection and test run of the new units on Tuesday, June 17, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian highlighted the importance of providing safe and comfortable public transportation for PWDs.
“It's a very comfortable means of transportation. Safe for persons with disabilities,” he said.
Gatchalian explained that the initiative follows President Marcos Jr.’s directive to create more safe spaces and opportunities for vulnerable groups.
“Ang utos ng ating Pangulo noong nagsimula ako sa DSWD is siguraduhin na yung proteksyon natin sa mga bulnerable ay malawak na malawak. Kasama diyan yung paglunsad ng mga safe spaces o safe public transpo para sa ating mga may kapansanan (The order from our President when I started at DSWD was to ensure that our protection for vulnerable groups is broad and comprehensive. This includes launching safe spaces or safe public transportation for our persons with disabilities),” he said.
The electric buses are part of the Persons with Disabilities-Electric Transportation Service (PWD-ETS) Project under the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
It provides grants to PWDs who are members of SLP associations (SLPAs), which allows them to purchase and operate electric vehicles for a transportation enterprise.
Each SLPA consists of 115 PWD members from 10 local government units in Metro Manila.
These groups manage and operate the e-buses in partnership with Global Electric Transport (GET) Philippines Inc., the chosen service provider.
“Ito yung hanap buhay na naisip nila, kung saan bumabyahe yung mga e-bus na ito na persons with disability-friendly para masigurado na may shuttle yung mga manggagagawa natin na may kapansanan (This is the livelihood idea they came up with, where these e-buses operate as PWD-friendly transport to ensure that our workers with disabilities have access to a shuttle service),” Gatchalian said.
Currently, the electric buses are being used as shuttle services for PWD workers in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
Gatchalian noted that the DSWD is also working with the Department of Transportation to expand the project to allow commercial operations in Quezon City.
The ceremonial turnover and blessing of the new e-buses is scheduled for June 24. 
The SLP is a DSWD program that helps poor, vulnerable, and marginalized groups gain access to livelihood resources and improve their economic conditions.

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