Senators on Sunday welcomed President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s decision to postpone the planned rehabilitation of EDSA, one of Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfares.

Earlier in the day, Marcos ordered the suspension of the EDSA rehabilitation project, which was initially set to begin on 13 June.

Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, who earlier called for an economic impact assessment of the project, expressed his gratitude to the President for reconsidering the timeline.

“Glad that the President already issued an order suspending the EDSA rehab. An honest-to-goodness economic benefit assessment is needed for this project,” Ejercito said in a statement.

Citing a study by a Japanese firm, the senator warned that the rehabilitation would lead to further economic losses due to worsened traffic conditions in Metro Manila.

“Metro Manila’s traffic already costs our economy more than P3.5 billion a day. According to the Japan International Cooperation Agency, this figure could rise to P5.4 billion per day by 2035 if we do nothing. That’s why urgent action is needed, but it must be done carefully to avoid making the problem worse,” he said.

“This is why I strongly propose that the total EDSA rehabilitation be deferred until both the North-South Commuter Line and the Metro Manila Subway System are fully operational. I believe these will serve as efficient alternatives to private vehicles, making such a large-scale rehabilitation less disruptive to the public,” he added.

He also warned that the EDSA Carousel Bus system could become overwhelmed if the road project pushes through without sufficient transportation alternatives.

“This project risks pushing our traffic situation to the brink. What we need now is to lay down the rails, not repair roads just yet,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

“My position ever since is: fast-track all railway projects. Railway is the only way.”

Senator Grace Poe, former chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services, also expressed support for the postponement.

“We laud President Marcos for heeding reason in postponing the rehabilitation of EDSA,” Poe said in a separate statement.

Without adequate preparation, she warned that closing a portion of the main thoroughfare would result in “mayhem,” further burdening commuters and motorists.

“We trust that the following weeks will be spent laying down a comprehensive and efficient plan for traffic management when the rehabilitation is rolled out,” she said.

Poe urged relevant agencies to consider implementing the repairs in phases and on a 24/7 schedule to speed up the work. She also called for wider consultation with stakeholders to gather more ideas for easing traffic during the project.

Senator Joel Villanueva echoed these sentiments, saying extensive consultations are needed to cushion the impact on affected sectors.

“This would also allow all concerned government agencies to come up with more viable and inclusive solutions to cushion the impact on traffic,” he said.

“We are one with the President in urging the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and other concerned agencies to explore the use of new advanced technologies to expedite the rehabilitation process, aiming to complete it within six months instead of the projected two to three years,” he added.

Villanueva, author of the Telecommuting Act, also urged both public and private sectors to promote remote work arrangements to help ease traffic congestion.