DPWH vows to prioritize commuters in EDSA rehab

MANILA — As it works to improve the condition of Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said it will prioritize the welfare of commuters and pedestrians along Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfare.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said the government is now planning to widen sidewalks along EDSA to make the road safer and more accessible to commuters. 

“Hindi lang kotse ang dumadaan diyan. Sa busway pa lang 250,000 ang sumasakay sa busway everyday. Sa MRT 500,000. So sa mga yan palang 750,000 na,” he said during a media forum.

Dizon said plans for a more commuter-friendly EDSA follow the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to prioritize commuters, not just motorists. 

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“May mga kababayan tayo diyan na sumasakay, bumababa tapos delikado sa EDSA dahil walang sidewalk. Kasama nila yung mga kamote riders at ibang sasakyan.”

Before taking the helm of the DPWH, Dizon served as secretary of the Department of Transportation, where he worked with commuter groups and was exposed to the daily challenges faced by public transport users, including the lack of safe public spaces for active mobility.

 “Kung hindi ka maglalakad sa EDSA hindi mo mare-realize na marami pa lang kababayan natin, libo-libo ang naglalakad diyan araw-araw.” 

Meanwhile, rehabilitation of the Guadalupe Bridge is set to begin next month. The DPWH assured the public that the project will be carried out without disrupting traffic flow along EDSA.

PREPARING FOR THE RAINY SEASON

With the rainy season still months away, Dizon said preparations must begin early to mitigate flooding in Metro Manila.

“Kaya kung mapapansin niyo walang tigil sa pag tutok na ongoing projects. Yung pagpapaplaki ng drainage.”

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 The public works chief recently inspected drainage systems along G. Araneta Avenue, Sumulong Highway in Antipolo, and parts of Marikina City. The DPWH is also working to repair several pumping stations. 

“Yung Sunog Apog pumping station sa Maynila, ini-nauguerate yan noong 2020. Pero since 2020 hindi yan gumana. Lahat yan pinipilit namin ma-repair para pag dating ng tag-ulan, functioning na siya.”

Dizon said these efforts are among the steps the government can take for now, especially since no new funding has been allocated for flood control projects this year.

“Hindi madali ang solusyon sa pagbaha lalo na this year. Pero between now and the rainy season. Kelangan madaliin ang mga ongoing projects,” Dizon said.

The DPWH also acknowledged that while various parts of the country have master plans for flood management and river basin development, some of these plans have already become outdated.

Updating them is now among the department’s priorities.