The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will reassess its plan for the EDSA rehabilitation project after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. cancelled the scheduled start of construction on June 13.
According to DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, they have been instructed to explore ways to accelerate the project, which was originally planned to take two years.
"We're going back to the drawing board na sinasabi namin at pag-uusapan po namin kung ano 'yung pwedeng gawin," Bonoan said during an interview on Damdaming Bayan.
"Sabi nga ng Presidente, tingnan ninyo kung ano 'yung mga technology, materials na pwedeng magamit at saka 'yung method of construction atska mapabilis 'yung pagpapagawa sa EDSA," he added.
Bonoan said their goal is to determine "the most expedicious way" they can recommend for the project.
Citing the President's directive, Bonoan also said the government must give motorists "a little more time" to become familiar with the rehabilitation plan before full-scale construction begins.
"Tingnan natin kung may mga bago kaming pamamaraan. Kung nangangailangan po ng medyo dagdag na pondo o kung tama na ang pondo para sa 2025. Pag-uusapan naming lahat, including the budgetary requirements at 'yung mga kailangan. What’s important is ma-expedite po 'yung implementation ng EDSA Rebuild," Bonoan said.
The DPWH has been given one month to revise the plan, which means the rehabilitation may begin during the rainy season. However, Bonoan assured the public that the agency will continue working regardless of the weather conditions.
"May epekto rin po 'yan. May epekto rin po 'yung weather disturbances along the way. But I assure we can manage. Hindi naman po kami natigil sa paggawa ng mga infrastructure namin, kahit po may ulan, nakakatapos naman po kami," Bonoan said.
President Marcos announced the postponement of the project on Sunday at MRT-3's Kamuning Station during the launch of the "Pamilya Pass 1+3" program.
The President said that a two-year timeline would be heavy for motorists as it will cause too much inconvenience to them.
"Gumawa tayo ng magandang plano para naman imbes na dalawang taon, magawa natin sa anim na buwan, magawa natin sa isang taon," Marcos said.
