Orders one-month review to make project less disruptive
- MMDA cancels odd-even scheme
- PCCI, MBC welcome suspension
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. yesterday ordered the suspension of the scheduled EDSA rehabilitation project, saying that government planners need more time to ensure its efficient execution to minimize public disruption.
“We have identified new technologies that were not considered in the EDSA rehabilitation planning, so I instructed [Transportation Secretary] Vince Dizon and Secretary Manuel Bonoan of the Department of Public Works and Highways to pause the rehabilitation,” the President said.
Mr. Marcos indicated that a month-long review of alternative approaches is needed but stopped short of saying exactly when the much ballyhooed EDSA Rebuild would finally get underway.
He explained that, while he agrees EDSA needs repair, the project’s current cost-benefit ratio is unfavorable.
“There are just too many sacrifices. It’s too heavy [financial], the traffic’s worse, so let’s pause that for now,” the chief executive added.
The President also disclosed that the government will attempt to create a plan to shorten the repair duration to between six months to a year, instead of the initially projected three years, as well as a better approach that would not cause too much inconvenience to the public.
With the EDSA Rebuild project on indefinite hold, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that it will cancel the odd-even scheme’s implementation on roads under its jurisdiction, which was slated to begin on June 13.
Instead, the MMDA will continue implementing the existing number coding scheme.
In a statement, MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes said the suspension is a chance to revisit the plan to ease the expected heavy traffic during the scheduled two-year rehabilitation.
“Pursuant to the directive of the President, the MMDA will suspend the imposition of the odd-even scheme which was part of the traffic management plan that was laid down intended to decongest EDSA before the looming rebuild.” he said.
“The postponement will give us time to look for other traffic mitigating options for the EDSA Rebuild which will be less than burdensome to motorists and commuting public” Artes said.
Meanwhile, Senator Grace Poe commended the President for postponing the planned rehabilitation of EDSA, saying the move showed “heeding reason.”
“Without adequate preparation, the closure of a portion of the main thoroughfare would result in mayhem, exacerbating the suffering of our commuters and motorists,” she said.
The senator and former Senate committee on public services chair urged the government to use the time to create a comprehensive and efficient traffic management plan before rolling out the project.
She also suggested that concerned agencies consider phased repairs and round-the-clock construction to speed up the process and reduce public inconvenience.
For his part, Senator JV Ejercito welcomed the massive road rehabilitation project’s suspension, and called for a more thorough economic review before moving forward.
“Urgent action is needed, but it must be done carefully to avoid making the problem worse,” he said.
“This is why I strongly propose that the total EDSA rehabilitation be deferred until both the North-South Commuter Line and the Metro Manila Subway System are fully operational,” Ejercito suggested.
The project’s suspension also caused the business community to breathe a sigh of relief, amid fears of gargantuan economic losses.
In an interview, Jesus Varela, director general of the International Chamber of Commerce-Philippines, said his group estimates that the partial closure of EDSA would result in about P5 billion in losses to the national economy every day.
He explained that an earlier study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) that current traffic conditions in EDSA is already costing the economy some about P3.5 billion daily.
“This is a good move by the President. They should first sit down and think of a way to implement the rehabilitation with minimal disruption to the flow of food [and] logistics. Maybe they should consider implementing it in phases… not throughout the entire stretch of EDSA all at once,” Varela said in a mixture of Filipino and English.
Likewise, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Makati Business Club (MBC) expressed support for the government’s decision to postpone the start of the EDSA Rebuild project by a month, emphasizing the need for stronger planning, coordination, and long-term mobility solutions.
PCCI president Enunina Mangio welcomed the delay, saying it allows the government to better prepare for the massive infrastructure overhaul, including improvements in public transport and traffic flow.
“What I understand is that the President is trying to delay the project just for one month so they can prepare better by adding more buses, improving MRT frequency, and managing traffic flow. That’s okay with us,” Mangio said in an interview.
Similarly, transport group Manibela on Sunday thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the postponement of EDSA rehabilitation that was supposed to start on June 13.
“First, I would like to thank the President. There is no preparedness on the part of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority,” Manibela president Mar Valbuena told the Manila Standard.
“The economy will suffer. More so, if the odd-even scheme along EDSA was implemented, we will stand to suffer a huge economic loss,” he said.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “PBBM halts EDSA rehab plan; eyes faster, less disruptive fix”
