Statement on President Bongbong Marcos’ order to suspend the EDSA rehabilitation
June 01, 2025
Glad that the President already issued an order suspending the EDSA rehab!
An honest to goodness economic benefit assessment is needed for this project.
Metro Manila’s traffic already costs our economy more than P3.5 billion a day. According to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), 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.
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.
Even the agencies involved admit that this kind of construction in the heart of Metro Manila will cause heavier traffic. While the EDSA bus lane will remain, that alone won’t be enough. For one, workers who depend on jeeps, shuttles, and carpooling will still face longer, tougher commutes because side roads will become more crowded. These delays will hurt both productivity and the daily lives of ordinary Filipinos.
This project risks pushing our traffic situation to the brink. Ang kailangan natin ngayon ay ilatag ang mga riles, hindi muna ang pag-aayos ng mga kalsada.
My position ever since is fast track all railway projects!
Railway is the only way!
