DOTr chief clarifies: P15-billion EDSA rehab project not cancelled
At A Glance
- Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon said President Marcos wants to expedite the rebuilding of the major thoroughfare from two years to six months.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon on Tuesday, June 3 clarified that the rehabilitation of the Epifanio De Los Santos Avenue (EDSA) is only postponed and not technically cancelled.
Dizon pointed this out during the hearing of his ad interim appointment before the Commission on Appointments (CA) Committee on Transportation.
The Cabinet secretary was responding to a question by Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel regarding the President’s directive for a month-long postponement of the EDSA rehabilitation.
“It doesn’t mean it is cancelled. But the President really said that he listened to our countrymen for us to find a better way and a faster way (to finish the rehabilitation),” Dizon said.
President Marcos, he said, wants to expedite the rebuilding of the major thoroughfare from two years to six months.
“He wants it done in a manner that it would not cause too much trouble to our countrymen passing EDSA,” he said.
Asked about how the total amount of the project, Dizon said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has estimated the repairs to reach P8.7-billion by 2026, but the amount would reach to P15-billion until its completion in 2027.
“As far as I know, and which is subject to verification by the DPWH, which is the lead agency handling the EDSA rehabilitation project, it is already in the advanced stage of procurement,” he said.
“But I have to defer to the DPWH on this matter,” the DOTr chief said.
Dizon also said that the scope of rehabilitation that would be done on EDSA includes the reconstruction of each lane, and middle lane, changing the concrete structure and putting on asphalt overlay.
The reconstruction of EDSA will also involve fixing the drainage and sidewalks, he said.