The Epifanio delos Santos Avenue 鈥� INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Department of Transportation (DOTr) must extend train and busway operating hours while the Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (Edsa) is being rehabilitated, Akbayan party-list Rep. Percival Cenda帽a said on Monday.
In a statement, Cenda帽a warned that commuters may get stranded once Edsa 鈥� one of Metro Manila鈥檚 major thoroughfares 鈥� undergoes a rehab due to a higher traffic volume.
Previously, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said the Edsa rehab would start in March, with the southbound lanes getting the improvements first.
鈥淚t is necessary now to extend the operating hours of MRT, LRT, and now, even the Edsa Bus Carousel because the Edsa rehabilitation would really cause heavy traffic,鈥� Cenda帽a said in Filipino.
鈥淧rivate vehicle owners have an option, but the commuters do not have one. They should be assured that public transportation is sufficient,鈥� he added.
According to Cenda帽a, they understand that the rehabilitation of Edsa is a significant project, but the welfare of commuters is also important.
Last February 5, MMDA Chairman Don Artes said the Department of Public Works and Highways is finalizing the project鈥檚 timetable and traffic management plan.
The goal, Artes said, is to complete the Edsa rehabilitation in time for the Philippines鈥� hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit in 2026.
鈥淭he target is still to start in March so that it will be finished in time for the Asean. The southbound lanes will be prioritized,鈥� Artes said.
READ: Edsa rehab to begin in March, says MMDA chief
Newly appointed Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has promised that by the first quarter of 2026, Edsa busway users will have a better commuting experience as DOTr is also looking at a rehabilitation project by the second half of 2025.
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Aside from extending train hours, Cenda帽a also hopes that bus and train workers who will be affected by the longer working hours will be properly compensated.
鈥淭hey are at the frontline of our transport system, that鈥檚 why they should be protected and given correct wages and benefits,鈥� he said.
鈥淐ommuters cannot afford to wait. The DOTr, MMDA, and LGUs must work together to ensure smooth, efficient, and worker-friendly transport solutions before the EDSA rehab begins,鈥� he added.
Edsa has been notoriously known for traffic jams during rush hours, as it connects six cities across Metro Manila 鈥� Caloocan, Quezon City, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Makati, and Pasay City.
In 2018, a recent report from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency showed that the Philippines lost P3.5 billion per day because of traffic congestion in Metro Manila.
According to the Management Association of the Philippines, the government should already consider declaring a state of calamity in the National Capital Region due to traffic woes.
READ: MAP: Metro traffic so bad it calls for 鈥榮tate of calamity鈥�