Senators welcome EDSA rehab suspension

Senators yesterday welcomed President Marcos' order suspending the rehabilitation of EDSA, saying the project should not proceed until key railway lines are up and running.

- By NEIL JAYSON SERVALLOS

"Glad that the President already issued an order suspending the EDSA rehab," said Sen. JV Ejercito, citing concerns that construction could worsen Metro Manila's traffic congestion.

Ejercito pointed to estimates from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which place the daily economic cost of traffic in the capital at more than P3.5 billion.

"According to JICA, this figure could rise to P5.4 billion per day by 2035 if we do nothing. That's why urgent action is needed, but it must be done carefully to avoid making the problem worse," he said.