Marcos Orders Temporary Suspension of EDSA Rehabilitation
President Marcos has temporarily halted the EDSA rehabilitation project to explore better methods that would ease the burden on commuters. The decision to pause the project was announced during the launch of the Family Fare 1+3 promo for MRT-3 and LRT-2 on the morning of June 1.
The president expressed concern over the significant challenges that the current rehabilitation plan would impose, especially on workers who rely on commuting daily. “Meron pang isusunod na announcement dahil doon sa pinaplanong EDSA rehabilitation, ang daming mali, nag-aaalala na papano yung trabaho namin, e kung ang pag-commute namin ay napakatagal na, madadagdagan pa ng isang oras, dalawang oras, wala na talaga, hindi na kami uuwi,” he said, highlighting how extended travel times could affect people’s jobs and daily lives.
Exploring New Technologies to Shorten Rehabilitation
In addition to concerns about commuter hardship, the government has identified new technologies that could potentially speed up the rehabilitation process. Marcos instructed key officials to pause the project to conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis and study these innovations.
“Kaya’t tinitingnan po natin itong nangyari. Bukod pa doon meron tayong mga nakita na mga bagong teknolohiya na hindi natin ginamit doon sa pagplano sa EDSA rehabilitation,” Marcos explained. He added, “Kaya in-instruction-an ko si Secretary Vince Dizon at saka si Secretary Manny Bonoan ng DPWH, ay sinabi ko pause muna doon sa rehabilitation, huwag muna natin gawin, dahil tinitingnan natin yung cost-benefit analysis.”
Looking for a Shorter, Less Burdensome Solution
The original plan slated the EDSA rehabilitation to begin on June 13 and last until 2027, spanning two years. Marcos acknowledged that such a long project would impose heavy sacrifices on commuters amid already heavy traffic.
“Maganda sana kung maayos natin ngunit ang laking sakrispisyo ng dalawang taon, masyado nang mabigat, mahigpit ang traffic. Kaya pause na muna iyan at sabi ko sa kanila, bigyan natin ang sarili natin ng isang buwan, pag-aralan natin itong mga bagong teknolohiya na nakikita natin,” he said.
He hopes the revised plan could shorten the rehabilitation period to six months or one year. “Pag-aralan natin, gawa tayo ng magandang plano baka naman imbes na dalawang taon, magawa natin ng anim na buwan, magawa natin sa isang taon. Whatever it is, tingnan natin kung anong available sa atin,” Marcos added.
Commitment to Commuters’ Welfare
The president emphasized that the government aims to find alternatives that will not heavily disrupt the millions of commuters who depend on EDSA daily.
“Pero sa ngayon, maliwanag na maliwanag na napakarami ang mahihirapan kapag ka tinuloy natin yung EDSA rehabilitation. We will find another, in other words ang sinasabi ko, we will find a better way na hindi masyadong mahirap sa ating mga commuter,” Marcos concluded.
This move reflects the administration’s effort to prioritize commuter welfare while still addressing the need to improve one of Metro Manila’s most critical roadways.
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