The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), in coordination with the Departments of Labor and Employment, Public Works and Highways, and Transportation, met with business associations and employers this week to discuss preparations for the EDSA Rebuild project, set to begin on June 13.
The meeting, held at the MMDA central office in Pasig City and presided over by Deputy Chairman Frisco San Juan Jr. and General Manager Procopio Lipana, presented the rehabilitation methodology for the 23.8-kilometer highway, which is expected to take two years to complete.
Employers provided input on how to reduce the anticipated disruptions to businesses. Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon assured attendees that their suggestions would be considered, while Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma encouraged employers to realign workplace strategies in accordance with the upcoming traffic management plans.
The business group also toured the MMDA Communications and Command Center, where they were briefed on the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) and traffic violation monitoring systems. Lipana explained how NCAP operates in support of the agency’s road management initiatives.
According to MMDA chair Don Artes, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the agency to implement strict traffic management measures. One of the proposed schemes is a 24-hour odd-even policy on EDSA, set for a one-month trial starting June 16. The agency expects this to reduce vehicular volume by up to 40%.
The odd-even rule will ban vehicles with license plates ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 from EDSA on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; and those ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Sundays and holidays will remain open to all.
Additional restrictions will apply to provincial buses, trucks carrying perishable goods, garbage trucks, and aviation fuel delivery vehicles. The MMDA also committed to clearing alternative routes of obstructions.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Gov’t in talks with business sector on EDSA rehab.”
