The already heavy traffic is anticipated to become even worse as the government rolls out a complete overhaul of Metro Manila’s main thoroughfare around mid-June, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

In a chance interview on Tuesday, May 20, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said the target start next month is the definite date for the long-overdue rehabilitation of EDSA.

“Kailangan simulan na ‘yan kasi nga, sabi nga ng Pangulo, 45 years na bago talagang inayos ang EDSA,” said Dizon. (It needs to be started already because, as the President said, it’s been 45 years before EDSA was repaired.)

Dizon said the 45-year wait for rehabbing EDSA has prompted the government to frame the upcoming overhaul as “EDSA rebuild” instead.

“Ito ang isa sa mga pinakaklarong ehemplo ng ‘Build Better More,’ dahil alam na nga natin ang dating kinagawaan, patsi-patsi, re-block, rehab,” the DOTr chief said, referring to the Marcos administration’s centerpiece infrastructure program. (This is one of the clearest examples of “Build Better More,” because we already know how things used to be—patchwork, re-blocking, rehab.)

“Ito hindi ito rehab, rebuild na talaga ito ng EDSA, total rebuild. Babaguhin na natin ang EDSA,” he added. (This isn’t just a rehab—it’s a full rebuild of EDSA, a total rebuild. We’re going to change EDSA completely.)

The government is racing to revamp EDSA in preparation for the Philippines’ hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit next year, as the country assumes the rotating chair of the 10-member bloc.

The entire rehabilitation is expected to take over a year and a half.

While other details are still under wraps until next week, Dizon is already cautioning the public to brace for heavy traffic once it is underway.

He said the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has been instructed to prepare for traffic mitigation measures such as alternative routes.

The DOTr is also in talks with Ramon Ang-led San Miguel Corp. (SMC) regarding a potential toll suspension in certain parts of the elevated Skyway provide another route for motorists.

“Mahirap siya habang ginagawa—magta-traffic, may perwisyo. Pero ‘pag natapos ito, talagang napakalaking ginhawa nito,” said Dizon. (It will be difficult while it’s being done—there will be traffic and inconvenience. But once it’s finished, it will bring great relief.)

MMDA Chairman Don Artes said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has instructed the agencies overseeing EDSA’s rehabilitation to prepare for a massive information drive as the target start nears.

The information drive is expected to reiterate to motorists and commuters the intense traffic on the horizon, alongside the mitigation schemes.

Estimates of the aid agency Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 2017 had shown that traffic congestion in Metro Manila cost the Philippine economy at least ₱3.5 billion in lost opportunities everyday.