By PATRICK GARCIA and ALLYSA NIEVERA

San Juan City Mayor and Metro Manila Council (MMC) President Francis Zamora and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte lauded on Monday, June, 2, President Marcos' decision to temporarily halt the scheduled rebuilding of EDSA to find a better way to implement the project without causing too much burden to commuters and businesses.

"I fully support the decision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to suspend the scheduled rebuilding of EDSA in order to explore faster, more efficient, and less disruptive methods of reconstruction. This move demonstrates the President’s responsiveness to the daily concerns of commuters and motorists who rely heavily on Metro Manila’s main thoroughfare," Zamora said.

"While we recognize that EDSA remains in urgent need of structural rehabilitation and improvement, we equally commend the President’s resolve to ensure that any such project must not unnecessarily burden the Filipino people," he added.

The mayor explained the city stands ready to fully cooperate with the national government in implementing alternative traffic routes and rebuilding solutions.

"As one of the cities directly traversed by EDSA, we are very much aware of our shared responsibility to help ease traffic congestion and improve mobility across Metro Manila. In San Juan City, we continue to undertake regular road clearing operations, especially along identified Mabuhay Lanes, to ensure smoother traffic flow for public and private transport," the MMC president noted.

Belmonte emphasized the importance of prioritizing the welfare and comfort of the public amid ongoing economic and mobility challenges in the capital region.

“Buong puso nating sinusuportahan ang desisyon ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na pansamantalang ipagpaliban ang rehabilitasyon ng EDSA (We wholeheartedly support President Bongbong Marcos’ decision to temporarily postpone the rehabilitation of EDSA. In these challenging times, it is important to prioritize the welfare and comfort of the people),” Belmonte said in a statement.

She noted that the President’s decision reflects concern for the millions of commuters and motorists who rely on EDSA daily.

Belmonte also highlighted the need for a clear, strategic, and well-organized approach to such a significant infrastructure project.

“Gayundin, mahalaga na magkaroon ng malinaw at maayos na plano para sa rehabilitasyon ng isa sa pangunahing daanan sa Metro Manila. Importante na makatulong ang proyekto kapag ito’y nabuo na, at habang ginagawa pa, sa pang-araw-araw na pamumuhay ng ating mga kababayan at patuloy na pag-unlad ng ating ekonomiya (Likewise, it is important to have a clear and well-organized plan for the rehabilitation of one of the main thoroughfares in Metro Manila. It is important that the project, once it is completed, and while it is still being implemented, will help the daily lives of our countrymen and the continued development of our economy),” she added.

The city government recently opened its Greenhills–West Crame Connector Road in December last year, providing a faster alternative route for motorists using the Mabuhay lanes.

The road connects Eisenhower Street in Barangay Greenhills to 3rd West Street in Barangay West Crame.

Zamora said the road was previously filled with privately-owned lots that separated Barangay Greenhills from Barangay West Crame.

The city government purchased the lands and converted them into a public road wherein motorists may pass through, easing the flow of traffic in the area.

"Eisenhower Street in Barangay Greenhills and 3rd West Street in Barangay West Crame are part of the Mabuhay Lanes, which are designated no parking zones. As such, the San Juan City Wheel Clamping Ordinance (C.O. No. 70, Series of 2022) and MMDA Resolution No. 10, Series of 2010 will be fully implemented in the said streets. This means that illegally parked vehicles along Mabuhay Lanes and city roads in San Juan will be clamped by the TPMO or towed by the MMDA," the mayor said.

"Opening this section will be very beneficial not just for residents of Barangays West Crame and Greenhills, but also for motorists passing through our city. It will help in easing the traffic in EDSA and Ortigas since they can now pass through the Greenhills-West Crame Connector Road."

"We welcome further collaboration with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and all stakeholders as the national government reassesses its strategy for EDSA. San Juan City remains committed to solutions that benefit not only our residents but all Filipinos who pass through our city and EDSA every day," Zamora stressed.

She also encouraged the use of innovative technologies and strategies that could potentially shorten the rehabilitation timeline from the projected two years to as little as six months.

“Umaasa tayo na may mga makabagong teknolohiya at estratehiya na maaaring gamitin upang mapabilis ang rehabilitasyon—mula sa inaasahang dalawang taon ay posibleng maisakatuparan ito sa loob lamang ng anim na buwan. Naniniwala kami na sa tulong ng tamang pagpaplano at paggamit ng mga makabago at mabisang pamamaraan, mas magiging magaan ang epekto nito sa publiko (There are innovative technologies and strategies that can be used to speed up the rehabilitation. We believe that with the help of proper planning and the use of innovative and effective methods, its impact on the public will be lighter),” she said.

The local chief executive reaffirmed Quezon City’s commitment to collaborate closely with the national government in ensuring the success of the project.

“Nananatiling handa ang lokal na pamahalaan ng Lungsod Quezon na makipag-ugnayan at umalalay sa pambansang pamahalaan, anuman ang maging pinal na desisyon at susunod na hakbang (The local government of Quezon City remains ready to coordinate and support the national government, regardless of the final decision and next steps),” she said.

President Marcos on Sunday, June 1, ordered the temporary suspension of the EDSA rehabilitation to find a better way to implement the project without causing too much burden to commuters.