Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon clarified on Tuesday that the rehabilitation of EDSA is not canceled, but merely postponed for further study.
During a Commission on Appointments panel meeting, where his appointment was being reviewed, Dizon responded to Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel’s questions by emphasizing that the delay was requested by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to explore more efficient options.
“The President listened to the public and wants us to find a better, faster approach,” Dizon explained.
Originally scheduled to begin on June 13, the EDSA rehabilitation is led by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The President ordered a one-month pause to examine whether modern technologies can be applied to speed up the process—ideally reducing the timeline from two years to just six months.
The current project budget is pegged at ₱8.7 billion until the end of 2026, with estimates reaching ₱15 billion by 2027. Dizon noted that procurement was already in advanced stages, but adjustments may be necessary due to the temporary halt.
The planned rehabilitation aims to modernize the 23.8-kilometer highway, making it flood-free and capable of supporting new traffic schemes like a 24-hour odd-even system and toll-free access to parts of Skyway Stage 3.