The Department of Public Works and Highways has reduced the EDSA rehabilitation project's budget to P5.8 billion from an original P17 billion, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said. The first phase finished early, with bidding for phase two underway this month. The revised plan aims to minimize traffic disruption in Metro Manila.
MANILA, Philippines — Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon announced that the full budget for the EDSA rehabilitation now stands at P5.8 billion, just a third of the original P17 billion proposal. He made the statement on ANC's "Headstart" on Wednesday, April 29. "The entire budget now for the EDSA rehabilitation is only going to cost us now P5.8 billion... just a third of the P17 billion originally proposed," Dizon said.
The project was first promoted in 2025 as a major Department of Public Works and Highways repair and upgrade of Metro Manila's main artery. Segmented works were planned for March or June 2025, but President Ferdinand Marcos Jr suspended activities on June 1, 2025 following public outcry over potential congestion. Actual work began on December 24, 2025, as Filipinos headed into the holiday break.
Initial works along the stretch from Roxas Boulevard to Orense in Makati wrapped up a couple of weeks ago at a cost of about P1.8 billion, nearly two months ahead of schedule. "That is practically almost two months ahead of schedule," Dizon noted. The revised timeline shortens the project from about two and a half years to less than one year, with minimal disruption to traffic.
The rehabilitation extends beyond resurfacing to include pedestrian improvements. "It's not only cars that use EDSA... it's about time we also prioritize the commuters and the pedestrians," Dizon said. Bidding for Phase 2 began this month under Marcos administration directives for lasting fixes without prolonged road closures.
