FridayOL

QC Mayor Belmonte Backs Marcos' Decision to Delay EDSA Rehab – A Win for Commuters?

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has voiced her strong support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s recent decision to put a temporary hold on the ongoing rehabilitation of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA). The postponement, announced on Monday, June 2nd, aims to mitigate the significant traffic congestion that has plagued commuters during the project's initial phases.

Mayor Belmonte, in a statement released shortly after the President's announcement, emphasized her understanding of the challenges faced by daily commuters. The EDSA rehabilitation, while ultimately intended to improve infrastructure and traffic flow, has unfortunately resulted in extended travel times and considerable inconvenience for many residents of Quezon City and surrounding areas.

“We fully support the President’s decision to temporarily pause the EDSA rehabilitation,” Mayor Belmonte stated. “We recognize the need to balance infrastructure development with the immediate needs of our commuters. The current situation is simply unsustainable, and this pause allows us to reassess and refine the project's implementation to minimize disruption.”

Addressing Commuter Concerns and Seeking Solutions

The decision comes after widespread concerns and complaints from commuters regarding the worsening traffic conditions. Social media platforms have been flooded with reports of hours-long delays, prompting calls for a more manageable approach to the rehabilitation. The Quezon City government, alongside national agencies, is now working to analyze the impact of the current construction methods and explore alternative strategies to reduce congestion.

Possible solutions being considered include improved traffic management plans, optimized signal timing, and the implementation of alternative routes to divert traffic away from the most heavily impacted areas. Mayor Belmonte stressed the importance of collaboration between the national government, local government units, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to ensure a coordinated and effective response.

Looking Ahead: A More Commuter-Friendly Approach

The temporary postponement isn't seen as a complete abandonment of the EDSA rehabilitation project. Rather, it’s an opportunity to refine the approach and prioritize the needs of commuters. The Quezon City government is committed to working with the national government to develop a revised plan that minimizes disruption while still achieving the project's long-term goals of improving EDSA's infrastructure and traffic flow.

“We believe that with careful planning and collaboration, we can find a way to rehabilitate EDSA without unduly burdening our commuters,” Mayor Belmonte concluded. “We remain committed to working towards a more efficient and commuter-friendly transportation system for Quezon City and the entire Metro Manila region.”

The temporary pause on the EDSA rehabilitation highlights the importance of balancing infrastructure development with the immediate needs of the public. As the project moves forward, the focus will undoubtedly be on finding solutions that benefit both commuters and the long-term goals of improving Metro Manila's transportation network.