P6-B EDSA rehab marred by potholes
‘The only problem there is the busway barriers. They are blocking the drainage of water from the busway toward the drainage system on the other side.’
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‘The only problem there is the busway barriers. They are blocking the drainage of water from the busway toward the drainage system on the other side.’
The P6-billion EDSA rehabilitation project has encountered an early setback after heavy rains caused water to accumulate and potholes to emerge on the newly repaired EDSA Busway by Estrella Street in Makati City.
Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon inspected the affected stretch on Sunday night and later explained that the damage was caused primarily by rainwater pooling in the Estrella-Buendia area, where water flowing down from Guadalupe collects.
“The damaged area is at the catch basin between Estrella and Buendia because that is where all the water coming from Guadalupe flows down. You can see it yourself, that is where the water collects,” Dizon said in a Palace press briefing Monday.
The affected portion is reportedly the lowest point of Phase 1 of the EDSA rehabilitation.
Dizon said the problem was not anticipated, particularly because the concrete barriers along the EDSA Busway prevented water from draining toward the existing drainage system.
“The only problem there is the busway barriers. They are blocking the drainage of water from the busway toward the drainage system on the other side,” he said.
Dizon said he coordinated with the Department of Transportation (DoTr) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to address the problem by opening gaps in the barriers and allowing the water to drain properly.
“We agreed that those barriers really need to be opened so the water can drain,” he said, noting that water is one of the primary factors that can damage asphalt roads.
As an immediate measure, the barriers will be spaced out to allow rainwater to pass through. Permanent repairs will be undertaken once weather conditions improve.
Dizon said the contractor would shoulder the cost of repairing the potholes and addressing the drainage problem, at no additional expense to the government.
He earlier expressed frustration at the contractors during his inspection, questioning why the drainage problem had not been anticipated during the repair work.
The EDSA Busway rehabilitation project involves asphalt overlays, concrete reblocking, and station upgrades. It is being implemented by the DPWH and DoTr.
The government initially estimated the broader EDSA rehabilitation project at P17 billion, but the cost was later reduced to about P6 billion after the administration adopted a shorter, two-phase implementation plan.
Work began on 24 December 2025 covering pavement repairs, asphalt overlays, drainage improvements, sidewalk widening, and upgrades to the busway.
Phase 1, covering Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City to Orense Street in Makati, was completed in July 2026.
The DPWH has since moved into Phase 2, covering the Orense-Guadalupe area to Monumento in Caloocan City, with completion targeted in 2027.
Dizon said the department is using computer-guided paving machines equipped with laser technology in Phase 2 to speed up construction and ensure a more even and durable asphalt surface.
“We are using technology that will speed up the work and ensure that it is done properly. The paving is computer-guided to ensure that the surface is even. It uses lasers,” Dizon said.
Construction is progressing at about 500 meters per day, with crews working simultaneously on different sections of EDSA to shorten the overall construction period.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the DPWH to accelerate the rehabilitation while minimizing disruptions to motorists and commuters, Dizon said.
Aside from road resurfacing, the project includes removing obstructions on sidewalks and widening pedestrian walkways to improve accessibility and safety.
Flooding and climate change
Dizon also linked the recent widespread flooding in Metro Manila and other areas to a combination of inadequate flood control infrastructure and the effects of climate change.
He said the DPWH is continuing to assess and address flooding problems, including in Bulacan and Cavite, while cases involving anomalous flood control projects are being pursued.
In Cavite, Dizon said the department is preparing interventions in Kawit, Noveleta, and Bacoor, which serve as catch basins for water flowing from the province’s mountainous areas.
“We need to start our interventions in Cavite. Kawit, Noveleta and Bacoor are the catch basins for the water flowing down from the mountains of Cavite. We really need to intervene there, although this has been a longstanding problem,” he said.
He said the DPWH is also checking flood-affected areas in other regions and assured that all areas would be treated equally in terms of flood control mitigation.
In Manila, the department has also drawn up drainage plans for Taft Avenue and España Boulevard.
For Taft Avenue, Dizon said the DPWH has proposed a P1.5-billion drainage rehabilitation project covering the entire thoroughfare to be implemented next year.
“We have submitted a proposal for a P1.5-billion drainage rehabilitation project for the entire Taft Avenue,” he said.
For España Boulevard, the DPWH plans to begin constructing four cross drains in September or October using available savings, with additional improvements proposed for 2027.
“We hope that by the next rainy season, we will see further improvements on Taft and España,” Dizon said.
He noted that some traditionally flood-prone areas, including Camanava and Araneta Avenue in Quezon City, did not experience severe flooding during the recent rains, which he attributed to the flood-control projects already implemented in those areas.
The EDSA rehabilitation is intended to modernize Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfare and improve mobility for motorists, commuters and pedestrians.
The recent water damage, however, has highlighted the need to address drainage problems alongside road resurfacing as the government proceeds with the remaining phases of the P6-billion project.
