President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday ordered a one-month postponement of the rehabilitation project of 23.8 kilometer EDSA, the main road of Metro Manila.

During his speech at the launching of the Pamilya Pass 1+3 promo at the MRT-3 GMA Kamuning station, Marcos said the project is much needed yet the effects of its two year implementation on the public is 'too heavy'.

He said this may add another two to three hours in commuting time for those residing in the National Capital Region (NCR).

"It's a big sacrifice (for commuters). The two years (of rehabilitation) are too much of a burden and it will worsen traffic (in NCR). So that's why we will pause it for now," Marcos said in Filipino.

"If we look at the cost-benefit analysis, it would have been good if we fixed it but it's such a big sacrifice, the two years of heavy traffic," Marcos said.

The rebuilding of EDSA was to start on June 13 and a new scheme to control traffic at EDSA was to have been launched on June 16.

The pause, Marcos said, will last for a month where the involved agencies - Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will study new technologies to possibly shorten the period to rebuild EDSA.

"From two years, maybe we can shorten it to six months, one year. Whatever it is, we'll see what's available to us," Marcos added.

Business groups voiced their concerns that the two-year rehabilitation of Metro Manila's key road would disrupt business and make things difficult for commuters.

This is the fourth time that the rehabilitation of EDSA has been postponed.

In a press release, MMDA announced the cancellation of the proposed odd-even scheme following the President's order.

“Pursuant to the directive of the President, the MMDA will suspend the imposition of the odd-even scheme which was part of the traffic management plan that was laid down intended to decongest EDSA before the looming rebuild.” MMDA chairman Don Artes said.

“The postponement will give us time to look for other traffic mitigating options for the EDSA Rebuild which will be less than burdensome to motorists and the commuting public” Artes added.

The MMDA will continue implementing the existing number coding scheme. Yzabela Velez-White/DMS