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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Senators laud PBBM's order to suspend EDSA rehabilitation

Senators laud PBBM's order to suspend EDSA rehabilitation

Published Jun 1, 2025 12:51 pm  |  Updated Jun 1, 2025 05:51 pm

At A Glance

  • Sen. JV Ejercito said he believes "an honest to goodness economic benefit assessment" on the EDSA rehabilitation project is needed before it pushes through.

Senators on Sunday, June 1 welcomed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s move to suspend the EDSA rehabilitation saying “an honest to goodness economic benefit assessment” is needed for this project. 

This development was confirmed by Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon during the launch of the Pamilya Pasa promo, saying the President had asked them to “go back to the drawing board.”

“Glad that the President already issued an order suspending the EDSA rehab! An honest to goodness economic benefit assessment is needed for this project. Metro Manila’s traffic already costs our economy more than P3.5 billion a day,” Sen. Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito said in a statement.

Citing a study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the senator warned that this figure could rise to P5.4 billion per day by 2035 if nothing is done to fix it.

“That’s why 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. I believe these will serve as efficient alternatives to private vehicles, making such a large-scale rehabilitation less disruptive to the public,” he pointed out. 

Ejercito noted that even the agencies involved in this project admit that this kind of construction in the heart of Metro Manila will cause heavier traffic. 

“While the EDSA bus lane will remain, that alone won’t be enough. For one, workers who depend on jeeps, shuttles, and carpooling will still face longer, tougher commutes because side roads will become more crowded,” the lawmaker pointed out.

“These delays will hurt both productivity and the daily lives of ordinary Filipinos,” he warned.

Ejercito earlier insisted that pushing through with the EDSA rehabilitation project will risk pushing Metro Manila’s traffic situation to the brink. 

“Ang kailangan natin ngayon ay ilatag ang mga riles, hindi muna ang pag-aayos ng mga kalsada (What we really need now is to fix our railways, not fixing our roads),” he said.

“My position ever since is fast track all railway projects! Railway is the only way!” he reiterated. 

Sen. Grace Poe also said she agrees with the President's decision and for heeding reason in postponing the rehabilitation of EDSA.
"Without adequate preparation, the closure of a portion of the main thoroughfare would result in mayhem, exacerbating the suffering of our commuters and motorists," Poe said.
"We trust that the following weeks will be spent laying down a comprehensive and efficient plan for traffic management when the rehabilitation is rolled out," she stressed.
Poe also said concerned agencies should also consider proposals to carry out the repairs in phases and under a 24/7 scheme to speed up the work.
"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. 
Sen. Joel Villanueva also thanked the President "for listening to the concerns of our people" when he made the decision.
"While we support efforts to improve our infrastructure, this must not come at the expense of the welfare of our kababayans (people)," Villanueva said.
"If we are truly serious about progress, we need to ensure that there is an extensive consultation with all sectors that will be affected by the rehabilitation project. This would also allow all concerned government agencies to come up with more viable and inclusive solutions to cushion the impact on traffic," he added.
Villanueva also said he supports the President's call for the DOTr, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and other concerned agencies to explore the use of new advanced technologies to expedite the rehabilitation process, aiming to complete it within six months instead of the projected two to three years.
He also reiterated his call for both the public and private sectors to consider alternative work arrangements to ease the concerns of motorists and commuters in the course of the EDSA rehabilitation.

Related Tags

jv ejercito EDSA rehabilitation PBBM Marcos administration DOTr
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