President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday said he wants the planned rehabilitation of the 23.8 kilometer EDSA, Metro Manila's key road, to be done shorter, instead of the earlier planned two years.

Marcos ordered the one-month suspension of the start of the EDSA rehabilitation project on June 1, citing the significant sacrifice asked of motorists and commuters who would endure longer travel times.

The President had noted that new technologies not previously considered during the planning may significantly reduce the time required to complete the EDSA rehabilitation project.

He maintained that the EDSA rehabilitation would remain suspended until concrete measures are in place to minimize disruption to motorists and commuters.

In a video message on his YouTube channel, the President said he wanted to review the rerouting schemes and other readiness plans to mitigate the expected impact on traffic congestion.

“Ang isa sa pinagtuunan din natin ng pansin nitong mga nakaraang linggo ay ang transportasyon. Inanunsyo ko ang pansamantalang paghihinto muna ng EDSA rebuilding program,” President Marcos said in his “BBMVLOG #270: Mga Pagbabago.”

The President also said the projected two-year duration of the EDSA rehabilitation should be shortened, as the timeframe was too long and would likely cause inconvenience to the public.

“Ang sabi ko nga ay masyadong matagal naman ‘yung dalawang taon para maabala ang mga kababayan natin,” President Marcos said.

“Hangga’t wala akong nakikitang solid na mga rerouting plans at masiguro na handang-handa na ang mga LGUs, huwag muna natin gawin. Ayusin muna natin ang plano,” stressed the President. Presidential News Desk