The Department of Transportation (DoTr) on Monday assured the public the temporary suspension of the EDSA rehabilitation project will not lead to higher costs, after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a return to the drawing board to reduce disruption and shorten the timeline of the work.

Transportation Secretary Vivencio “Vince” Dizon said the one-month pause would allow government agencies to explore faster construction methods—such as Japanese-style grinding and overlay techniques—that could shrink the project timeline from two years to just six to eight months.

“It will not result in higher cost,” Dizon told reporters. “If it’s two years versus six or eight months, that’s faster. What they are probably looking at is instead of digging up the road, they’ll just grind it down—similar to what they do in Japan. The key is to make it quicker but still maintain quality.”

The initial P15-billion EDSA Rebuild plan involved excavating and reconstructing nearly 200 kilometers of lanes along the 23.8-kilometer thoroughfare, a process that would have disrupted the flow of some 437,000 vehicles daily. Preparatory works were supposed to start on 13 June.

President Marcos, however, found the two-year schedule unacceptable and instructed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the DoTr, to revisit their strategy. The President called for a faster, whole-of-government approach that would put commuter welfare at the center.

Shift in methods, not goals

Dizon said that while the method may change, the core components of the project—such as consistent pedestrian lanes and drainage improvement—will still push through.

“It’s still part of the plan to make the pedestrian lanes consistent—not wide in some areas and narrow in others,” he said. “That will continue. It’s just the method that will change.”

He acknowledged that the President’s directive was unexpected. “I was surprised, all of us. We just talked over the phone,” he said. “I’m not yet sure when the follow-up meeting will be.”

AAP backs pause, reset to January

Meanwhile, the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP) welcomed the suspension, saying it showed the government is listening to the stakeholders and prioritizing proper planning.

“This kind of project needs intense planning,” said AAP president Augustus “Joe” Ferreria. “You can’t simply shift traffic from EDSA to secondary roads. Those roads can’t handle that kind of volume.”

Ferreria said even a short dry run would have caused chaos. “Even closing EDSA for just two hours would trigger gridlock. It’s better that they think it through first.”

He recommended delaying the start of the rebuild until January 2026 — when road activity is generally lower.

“There are several factors to consider. Don’t start the EDSA rehab now,” Ferreria said. “It should begin in January, because come November, classes will resume, the holiday season begins, and the rainy season will be in full swing.”

He stressed that the government must first prepare sufficient alternate routes before implementing any road closures.

Belmonte: Right call

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte likewise supported the President’s move, calling it “compassionate and practical.”

“We fully support President Marcos’s decision to temporarily suspend the EDSA rehabilitation,” Belmonte said. “In challenging times, it’s essential to prioritize public welfare and convenience.”

She emphasized the importance of planning such a massive project with minimal disruption. “If new technologies and strategies can shorten the process from two years to just six months, we believe that’s the better path.”

The Quezon City government, she added, is ready to assist once the new plan is finalized.

What’s next

With the suspension in place, traffic rerouting and the changes to the number coding scheme are also on hold. Dizon said the DoTr is closely coordinating with the DPWH, MMDA, and major rail operators to align with the President’s directive.

As stakeholders await the updated proposal, the government faces the challenge of rebuilding EDSA faster, cheaper, and with fewer headaches for the millions who traverse it every day.