Senator Grace Poe on Sunday commended President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 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.
“More consultations with concerned stakeholders and affected groups should also be conducted to gather more ideas on easing traffic while rehab is ongoing,” she suggested.
President Marcos announced the postponement of the 23.8-kilometer EDSA rehab in a video message posted Sunday by Super Radyo dzBB.
The rehabilitation was initially set to begin on June 13 and expected to last until 2027.
Marcos said the project will be reviewed for a month to explore technologies that could accelerate the timeline and reduce disruptions.
Authorities have yet to announce a new timeline for the project following the president’s decision to delay its implementation.
