Dizon: Marcos wants shorter EDSA rehab

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon on Monday said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has rejected the original two-year plan for the EDSA rehabilitation project and directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to come up with a faster alternative within a month.

In a Monday radio interview, Dizon said the President found the timeline for the proposed P8.7-billion EDSA Rebuild project too long and burdensome for motorists and commuters.

“Ang sabi ni PBBM, kailangan nating ihinto muna ang original plano ng EDSA Rebuild dahil masyado siyang matagal. Maraming nagsasabi na hindi kailangang tumagal ng dalawang taon iyan,” Dizon said.

(President Marcos said we need to halt the original EDSA Rebuild plan for now because it would take too long. Many are saying it doesn’t have to take two years.)

He said the President gave the DPWH a month to revise the proposal. “Depende pa rin po iyan kung makakapagbigay sila ng plano na masasatisfy ang pangulo,” Dizon added.

(That will still depend on whether they can come up with a plan that satisfies the President.)

Originally, the EDSA rehabilitation called for lane-by-lane excavation, reconstruction, and asphalting — a process that would have required extensive rerouting and likely caused severe traffic congestion. But Dizon said this approach is now under review following the President’s directive to significantly shorten the timeline.

Dizon added that reducing the project duration could also bring down the cost.

“Kung mapapaiksi ang panahon kagaya ng gusto ng presidente, mas bababa ang budget niyan,” he said.

(If the timeline can be shortened as the President wants, the budget will also be lower.)

The Transportation Secretary also noted that agencies are exploring modern construction methods that could complete the project in as little as six months.

Dizon further revealed that Marcos was “not pleased” after inspecting the overpass at Kamuning and that new plans for the structure may be announced soon.

The suspension of the project has also delayed planned traffic rerouting and number coding adjustments along EDSA. These will remain on hold until a revised plan is finalized.

Dizon said coordination is ongoing with various agencies, including the Department of Transportation, the Metro Manila Development Authority, and rail operators, to ensure a unified approach in meeting the President’s goals.

Auto group praises restraint

In a separate interview, Augustus “Joe” Ferreria, president of the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP), welcomed the President’s decision to put the EDSA Rebuild project on hold, citing the need for better preparation.

"Natuwa ako... Kailangan ang matinding paghahanda. Hindi madaling ilipat ang mga sasakyan mula sa EDSA sa secondary roads. 'Yung mga secondary road, hindi kakayanin 'yun," Ferreria said.

(I’m glad about the decision… such a project needs intense planning. You can’t just move vehicles from EDSA to secondary roads — those roads can’t handle it.)

He emphasized the importance of executing the project with careful consideration, warning against conducting a dry run prematurely.

"Mabuti nga hindi nila itinuloy ang dry run. Kasi kapag isinara mo ang EDSA nang dalawang oras, kaguluhan 'yan sa Metro Manila... Mabuting nag-isip muna," he added.

(It’s a good thing they didn’t proceed with the dry run. If you close EDSA for even two hours, it will cause chaos in Metro Manila. It’s better they took time to think it through.)

Ferreria also advised against launching the rebuild during the latter part of the year.

"May mga factor na kailangang i-consider. Una, 'wag gagawin ngayon 'yan (EDSA Rebuild). Dapat 'yan ay Enero. Kasi magbubukas ang klase, November 1, Pasko, at tag-ulan," he said.

(There are many factors to consider. First, don’t start the project now. It should begin in January. Classes resume on 1 November, Christmas is approaching, and it’s the rainy season.)

He urged the government to clear and prepare secondary roads before any EDSA closure.