Out of concern for the commuting public, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sunday ordered the suspension of the upcoming EDSA major rehabilitation for a month to better prepare mitigating measures for the expected traffic congestion on the thoroughfare.
President Marcos issued the directive as he listened to the concerns expressed by commuters about their longer travel time during the EDSA rehabilitation, which is expected to last for about two years.
EDSA is a 23.8-kilometer stretch from Pasay City in the southern part of Metro Manila to Caloocan City in the northern part.
“Doon sa pinaplanong EDSA rehabilitation, ang daming bumalik na nag-aalala papaano ‘yung trabaho namin? Eh kung ang pag-commute namin ay napakatagal na, madadagdagan pa ng isang oras, dalawang oras, wala na talaga, hindi na kami uuwi,” the President said during the launch of the Pamilya Pass 1+3 Promo at the MRT-3 GMA-Kamuning Station along EDSA in Quezon City.
“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 nating gagawin’,” President Marcos said.
Pedestrians currently endure daily traffic jams on EDSA and other parts of Metro Manila, even before the rehabilitation works start, which will close certain lanes.
The government is conducting a cost-benefit analysis of rehabilitating EDSA for the long term, considering the short-term impact on traffic congestion.
“Ngunit ang laking sakripisyo ng dalawang taon na masyadong mabigat, masyadong mahigpit ang traffic. Kaya pause na muna ‘yan at sabi ko sa kanila, bigyan natin ang sarili natin ng isang buwan,” the President said.
The President noted that new technologies not previously considered during the planning may significantly reduce the time required to complete the EDSA rehabilitation project.
“Pero sa ngayon, maliwanag na maliwanag na napakarami ang mahihirapan pagka itinuloy natin ‘yung EDSA rehabilitation. In other words, ang sinasabi ko, we will find a better way na hindi masyadong mahirap para sa ating mga commuter,” President Marcos stressed. | PND
