Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Eon Sanchez

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765246976161viber_image_2025-12-09_10-10-11-010.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Government agencies eye early 2026 EDSA overhaul as walk reveals unsafe sidewalks and bike lanes. <em>ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Top officials of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and members of the Move As One Coalition (MAOC) conducted a joint inspection of EDSA at dawn on Monday, December 9, walking roughly 4.4 kilometers from Ayala Avenue in Makati to Roxas Boulevard in Pasay. </p><p>The teams assembled at One Ayala before beginning the walkthrough at around 6 a.m., completing the route after nearly two hours.</p><p>The activity forms part of the government’s ongoing effort to assess pedestrian, commuter, and active transport conditions along major corridors in Metro Manila.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/6/dpwh-proposing-to-move-edsa-rebuild-in-2026-1833">DPWH proposing to move EDSA rebuild next year</a></div><p>Along the route, officials flagged multiple obstructions and hazards, including uneven pavements, trash, and sidewalks described as “unfriendly” to pedestrians and persons with disabilities.</p><p>Participants also pointed out several PWD ramps that were either too steep, blocked, or poorly designed.</p><p>“Karanasan ko po ngayon sa ating unity walk, ang pakiramdam ko po ako ay isang mandirigma. Napakahirap po at napakadelikado po ng ating mga sidewalk,” DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez said.</p><p>“Nakaka-stress… Tagal-tagal na ganito doon. Ang dami nang nagrereklamo pero wala pa ring nangyayari. Sabi ng Pangulo, once and for all, gawin na natin pedestrian at commuter-friendly ang EDSA,” DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/9/manila-residents-struggle-to-commute-amid-nationwide-jeepney-strike-0828">Manila residents struggle to commute amid nationwide jeepney strike</a></div><p>The DPWH said renovation works along EDSA are set to begin early 2026, focusing on upgrades that will make walkways safer and more accessible.</p><p>“Hopefully, by next year, magagawa na natin yung sinasabi ni Pangulo na mas kailangan maging mabilis ang pagpapagawa,” Dizon said.</p><p>“Noong nakaraan, ang alam ko, ang gusto nilang budget dyan ay P15 billion buong EDSA pero syempre, masyadong malaki naman yon kung mas mabilis nating magagawa, mas bababa yun nang mas malaki,” he added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>PEOPLE-CENTERED SOLUTIONS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Members of the Move As One Coalition welcomed the inspection but underscored the need for long-term, people-centered solutions that would allow more pedestrians to move safely and comfortably along the busy thoroughfare.</p><p>“Kailangan po nating gawin: human-powered mobility, walking, cycling and also the use of light electric vehicles… Kaya kailangan po unahin ang mobilidad ng mga nakararami, ang kaligtasan para hindi masayang ang oras ng karamihan sa pagcocommute,” MAOC communication consultant Dinna Dayao said.</p><p>“EDSA was not always like this. Lumiit na po nang lumiit ang mga sidewalk. Wala pong rampa na magamit ang mga persons with disability. Ang bike lanes po ay pintura lamang… napakarumi po. Ang dami rin pong basura,” she added.</p><p>The DOTr also appealed for public cooperation, stressing that infrastructure improvements must be supported by discipline among both commuters and motorists.</p><p>“I’m still hopeful na maaayos natin. Ito lang po ay pakikipagtulungan ng lahat ng ahensya at more than the government, kailangan din po ng disiplina ng ating drivers at motorista. Hindi po kaya mag-isa ng gobyerno ito,”  Lopez said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_0HtQRFQwdU?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Along the route, officials flagged multiple obstructions and hazards, including uneven pavements, trash, and sidewalks described as “unfriendly” to pedestrians and persons with disabilities.</p>

Along the route, officials flagged multiple obstructions and hazards, including uneven pavements, trash, and sidewalks described as “unfriendly” to pedestrians and persons with disabilities.

Gov't agencies eye early 2026 EDSA overhaul as walk reveals unsafe sidewalks, bike lanes

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Gov't agencies eye early 2026 EDSA overhaul as walk reveals unsafe sidewalks, bike lanes

Eon Sanchez,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 09, 2025 10:45 AM PHT

Read More:

EDSA

DOTr

DPWH

Vince Dizon

Move As One Coalition

Ayala Avenue

Roxas Boulevard

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