Aquino stops Edsa rehabilitation

A Don Mariano Bus is being hauled after it hit the railing along EDSA Ortigas southbound flyover in Quezon City. ARNOLD ALMACEN/INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday stopped the rehabilitation of Edsa that is planned to start after the May midterm elections.

Malacañang deputy spokesperson Abigail Valte said Aquino wanted a further study of Edsa rehab plan, including additional measures to ease inconvenience to motorists.

When major road improvements on the 23-kilometer-long Edsa start next May, observers said the patience of motorists and commuters using the country’s busiest thoroughfare will be tested.

But according to Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, this will be true only while phase one of the P3.7-billion project is underway.

Phase one involves the “stretch of Edsa from Roxas Boulevard (in Pasay City) to Julia Vargas Avenue (in Mandaluyong City),” he explained.