(MANILA BULLETIN)

Makati City 2nd district Rep. Luis Campos Jr. is batting for the construction of a dual-purpose road tunnel and flood diversion channel beneath Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) as a way to mitigate traffic congestion and flood risks in Metro Manila.

In House Resolution (HR) No. 2130, Campos called on the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for the project.

“EDSA is overstretched and flood-prone. We need bold, long-term infrastructure solutions that address both traffic congestion and climate-driven flooding,” Campos said, referring the main highway of the metropolis.

Stretching 23.8 kilometers, EDSA serves as the primary artery linking northern and southern Luzon.

It remains one of the most heavily traveled highways in the country, accommodating over 400,000 vehicles daily—far beyond its designed capacity of 288,000. 

Meanwhile, EDSA’s low-lying areas are increasingly vulnerable to flooding, which disrupts mobility and inflicts economic damage during the rainy season.

“This isn’t just about solving today’s problems—it’s about future-proofing Metro Manila’s infrastructure in the face of rapid urbanization and harsh climate change,” added Campos, a candidate for Makati City mayor in the upcoming May 12 mid-term elections. 

As a potential model, Campos cited Malaysia’s SMART Tunnel in Kuala Lumpur, which functions as both a roadway and a stormwater diversion system. The tunnel automatically closes to traffic during heavy rainfall to allow floodwaters to pass through and is typically cleared and reopened within 48 hours.

The proposed EDSA tunnel, Campos said, could deliver multiple benefits, including:

•Alleviating surface-level traffic congestion;

•Mitigating urban flooding through efficient stormwater diversion; and

•Supporting the reuse of stormwater for agricultural irrigation, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s broader agenda for sustainable water management.

If deemed feasible, the proposed EDSA tunnel could significantly reshape the future of mobility and flood mitigation in the National Capital Region.

In 2019, San Miguel Corporation (SMC)—one of the country’s largest toll road operators—proposed the construction of a 10-lane elevated steel expressway above EDSA.

Campos' wife, incumbent Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, is running for senator under the administration-backed Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial ticket.