Faster schedule sought on Edsa rehabilitation
The rehabilitation of Edsa is not technically canceled despite its monthlong postponement, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said on Tuesday.
“It doesn’t mean it was canceled,… but the President told us to find a better way and a faster way…. he listened to our countrymen,” Dizon said on Tuesday during the Commission on Appointments’ (CA) hearing on his ad interim appointment as chief of the Department of Transportation.
According to him, Mr. Marcos wants to expedite the rebuilding of the major thoroughfare from two years to six months.
No objection
“He just said, ‘Come back after a month with a better way. Let’s see if we can address our fellow Filipinos’ concerns,’” Dizon said, quoting Mr. Marcos.
“When the President said a better way, he essentially meant a way that would be faster so that it will not cause too much inconvenience to Filipinos passing Edsa,” he added.
Dizon also disclosed that “I did get a call from the executive secretary that the President did not accept my courtesy resignation,” when asked by Sen. Joel Villanueva if he was cleared by the President to attend the confirmation hearing.
The CA’s transportation panel endorsed Dizon as no member objected when a motion to recommend his appointment was raised. The panel’s recommendation was then transmitted for approval to the plenary as rescheduled to a later date.
Dizon was appointed by Mr. Marcos in February, replacing Jaime Bautista, who had resigned for health reasons.
The rehabilitation of the 23.8-kilometer beltway was supposed to begin on June 13, but Mr. Marcos ordered its postponement to allow further studies on that project that would help alleviate its impact on the commuting public.
The cost estimate for the rehabilitation project, initially pegged at P8.7 billion, would total P15 billion, according to the transportation chief.
He said the project is in the advanced stages of procurement.
“I think the procurement is already in advanced stages, some of the procurements have already been completed. But our President’s order was to suspend the project and find a better and faster way, so the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) may need to adjust also. But again I have to defer to DPWH on this,” Dizon said.
The Management Association of the Philippines on Tuesday said it supports the phased implementation of the project.
In a statement, the business group said “we are glad that Edsa is being given focused attention,” adding that its rehabilitation is “long overdue and necessary.” —WITH A REPORT FROM ALDEN MONZON
