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Escudero: 1 month enough to decide on EDSA rehab
TRAFFIC POLICY. Motorcycle riders avoid the bicycle lane while traversing the EDSA-Cubao service road in Quezon City on Tuesday (May 27, 2025).
Non-cyclists using the special lane were among the 866 violators recorded by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on the first day of the resumed implementation of the No Contact Apprehension Policy on May 26.
(PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler)
By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency
MANILA – Senate President Francis Escudero on Monday said one month is enough for the government to decide whether to proceed with the long-postponed rehabilitation of the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA).
“Enough na ang one month to evaluate kung tutuloy pa o hindi at kung ano ang kailangan pang gawin bago ituloy (One month is enough to evaluate whether to proceed or not, and what else needs to be done before moving forward),” Escudero said in a press briefing.
However, he expressed reservations about the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) projected two- to three-year timeline, calling it disproportionate especially with the availability of modern construction methods.
“Ang advance technology naman, pangunahin na diyan ‘yung quick drying na semento na dalawa o tatlong araw lamang ay pwede nang daanan uli dahil ‘yung period, usually tatlong linggo (With advanced technology, especially quick-drying cement, roads can be used again in just two or three days, compared to the usual period of three weeks),” he pointed out.
“Masyadong matagal ang dalawa o tatlong taon para gawin ‘yan. Kawawa naman ang ating mga mananakay, mga gumagamit ng EDSA na pinaka-main route natin (Two to three years is far too long to complete that. Our commuters — the people who rely on EDSA as our main thoroughfare — will suffer),” he said.
He also questioned why the agency had not yet constructed temporary structures, like a Bailey bridge, to ease traffic congestion for the planned repairs of the Guadalupe Bridge also in EDSA, set to begin in October.
Earlier, other senators lauded President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s move to suspend the rehabilitation of EDSA, stressing the need for improved traffic management and broader public consultation to prevent further aggravating Metro Manila’s severe congestion.
