MANILA, Philippines — Senators yesterday welcomed President Marcos’ order suspending the rehabilitation of EDSA, saying the venture shouldn’t proceed till key railway strains are up and working.
“Glad that the President already issued an order suspending the EDSA rehab,” stated Sen. JV Ejercito, citing issues that development might worsen Metro Manila’s visitors congestion.
Ejercito pointed to estimates from the Japan Worldwide Cooperation Company (JICA), which place the every day financial price of visitors within the capital at greater than P3.5 billion.
“In keeping with JICA, this determine might rise to P5.4 billion per day by 2035 if we do nothing. That’s why pressing motion is required, nevertheless it have to be accomplished rigorously to keep away from making the issue worse,” he stated.
Ejercito had been proposing the deferment of the EDSA rehabilitation till each the North-South Commuter Railway and the Metro Manila Subway are operational.
He added that whereas the EDSA bus lane would stay throughout development, it will not be sufficient to stop longer commutes for employees who depend on jeeps, shuttles and carpools.
“Facet roads will develop into extra crowded. These delays will harm each productiveness and the every day lives of unusual Filipinos,” Ejercito stated.
He warned that pushing by means of with the venture prematurely might “danger pushing our visitors scenario to the brink.”
Sen. Grace Poe stated a rushed rollout of the rehabilitation with out correct planning might have created extra issues than it solved.
“We laud President Marcos for heeding motive in suspending the rehabilitation of EDSA,” Poe stated in an announcement.
She cautioned that shutting down components of one among Metro Manila’s primary arteries with out sufficient preparation “would end in mayhem, exacerbating the struggling of our commuters and motorists.”
Poe urged authorities companies to make use of the suspension interval to craft a “complete and environment friendly plan for visitors administration” forward of the venture’s eventual implementation.
Among the many measures she beneficial had been phased development and a 24/7 work schedule to reduce disruptions and shorten the timeline.
In the meantime, Sen. Joel Villanueva urged the federal government and the personal sector to permit do business from home preparations to assist alleviate the burden of visitors congestion on employees.