Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora on Monday both expressed their full support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s decision to suspend the planned P8.7-billion rehabilitation of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA).
"Buong puso nating sinusuportahan ang desisyon ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na pansamantalang ipagpaliban ang rehabilitasyon ng EDSA," Belmonte said in a statement sent to the DAILY TRIBUNE.
(We wholeheartedly support President Bongbong Marcos’ decision to temporarily suspend the rehabilitation of EDSA.)
"Sa mga panahong puno ng hamon, mahalagang unahin ang kapakanan at kaginhawaan ng taumbayan. Nauunawaan natin na ang ganitong desisyon ay bunga ng masusing pag-intindi at malasakit para sa mga araw-araw na dumaraan at umaasa sa EDSA," she added.
(In challenging times, it is important to prioritize the welfare and comfort of the people. We understand that this decision stems from careful consideration and compassion for those who rely on and travel through EDSA every day.)
President Marcos cited the need to explore faster and less disruptive construction methods. The overhaul of the 23.8-kilometer thoroughfare, originally scheduled to begin on 13 June and expected to last two years, was halted after Marcos raised concerns over the severe traffic congestion and economic disruptions the project would cause.
"Gayundin, mahalaga na magkaroon ng malinaw at maayos na plano para sa rehabilitasyon ng isa sa pangunahing daanan sa Metro Manila. Importante na makatulong ang proyekto kapag ito’y nabuo na, at habang ginagawa pa, sa pang-araw-araw na pamumuhay ng ating mga kababayan at patuloy na pag-unlad ng ating ekonomiya," Belmonte explained.
Zamora, who is also Metro Manila Council President, also lauded the policy rollback.
"I fully support the decision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to suspend the scheduled rebuilding of EDSA in order to explore faster, more efficient, and less disruptive methods of reconstruction," Zamora said in a statement. "This move demonstrates the President’s responsiveness to the daily concerns of commuters and motorists who rely heavily on Metro Manila’s main thoroughfare."
"While we recognize that EDSA remains in urgent need of structural rehabilitation and improvement, we equally commend the President’s resolve to ensure that any such project must not unnecessarily burden the Filipino people," he added.
Zamora said San Juan is ready to fully cooperate with the national government in implementing traffic rerouting and alternative solutions.
"As one of the cities directly traversed by EDSA, we are very much aware of our shared responsibility to help ease traffic congestion and improve mobility across Metro Manila," Zamora said.
He noted that the city continues regular road clearing operations, particularly along Mabuhay Lanes. San Juan also recently opened the Greenhills–West Crame Connector Road to provide motorists with a faster alternative route, helping reduce congestion within the city and along EDSA.