Marcos postpones EDSA rehabilitation to find ‘better way'

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Sunday suspended the planned rehabilitation of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) that was originally set to start next week, citing the need for further studies to find a “better way” and reduce its expected impact on commuters, motorists, and broader economic activity, including potentially shortening the project’s duration.

- By Chloe Mari A. Hufana and Ashley Erika O. Jose Reporters

The start of the P8.7-billion rehabilitation of Metro Manila’s busiest highway, which was set for June 13, has been deferred to July, although Mr. Marcos did not give a specific date.

The President made the announcement during his visit to the Metro Rail Transit Line-3 Kamuning Station in Quezon City, where he addressed sectors’ concerns over the project.

“Many people [complained] about the planned EDSA rehabilitation. A lot of people have come forward, expressing concern, saying things like, ‘What about our jobs?’” Mr. Marcos said in Filipino.

“When we look at the cost-benefit analysis, yes, it would be good if we could fix it, but the sacrifice required — two, three years — would be too much,” he added. “For now, it’s very clear that too many people will be burdened by the EDSA rehabilitation as it currently stands. We will find a better way — one that is not too difficult for our fellow citizens.”

He said the government is aware of the daily struggles of Filipino commuters and workers who rely on EDSA, which is used by around 400,000 vehicles daily and links key commercial and residential hubs across Metro Manila.

Apart from mobility concerns, Mr. Marcos said the government has been made aware of new technologies that were not considered in the initial planning of the EDSA rehabilitation, adding that he has already instructed the secretaries of the Transportation and Public Works and Highways departments to study these.

He also ordered relevant agencies to reassess the rehabilitation strategy and explore methods that could potentially reduce the construction timeline to as short as six months or one year from the original two-year timeline.

The Department of Transportation said in a statement that it is now working with its partner agencies to assess all available options to expedite the rehabilitation of the highway to reduce opportunity costs for motorists and commuters.