MANILA, Philippines – Suportado sa Senado sa pangunguna ni Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero ang suspensiyon ng rehabilitasyon ng EDSA sanhi ng kakulangan sa pagpaplano ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“Tama lang para sa akin dahil kulang pa ang pagpaplano tila dito ng DPWH. Masyadong matagal ang dalawa o tatlong taon para gawin ‘yan. Kawawa naman ang ating mananakay, kawawa naman ang nasa gumagamit ng EDSA na pinaka-main route natin,” ayon kay Escudero sa press conference.
Binatikos din ni Escudero ang DPWH sa kabiguan nitong magbigay ng alternatibong ruta na tatawid sa Pasig River dahil kukumpunihin din ang Guadalupe bridget.
Aniya, dapat pag-aralan ang proyekto sa loob ng isang buwan kung may makabagong teknolohiya na maaaring gamitin upang pabilisin din ang rehabilitasyon ng 23.8-kilometer road.
“The one month postponement would be enough to evaluate if the rehabilitation still needs to push through or not,” aniya.
Samantala, suportado din ni Senador Pia Cayetano kabilang si Senador Grace Poe sa direktiba ng Palasyo na isuspendi ang EDSA rehabilitation.
“The horrendous traffic that would result from the road closure would be burdensome for millions of commuters who already endure some of the worst congestion in Asia,” ani Cayetano sa statement.
“While the need to modernize our roads and infrastructure is clear, the government should strive to do so with the least possible inconvenience to the com2muting public – people who are simply trying to get to work, school, or home to their families,” dagdag ng senador.
Ayon naman kay Poe, kapag walang sapat na preparasyon, malaking abala ang pagsasara ng ilang bahagi ng EDSA na magdadagdag sa paghihirap ng commuters at motorista.
“We trust that the following weeks will be spent laying down a comprehensive and efficient plan for traffic management when the rehabilitation is rolled out,” ani Poe.
“Concerned agencies might also want to consider proposals to carry out the repairs in phases and under a 24/7 scheme to speed up the work,” ayon pa sa senadora.
“More consultations with concerned stakeholders and affected groups should also be conducted to gather more ideas on easing traffic while rehab is ongoing,” giit ni Poe. Ernie Reyes
