EDSA rehabilitation pushed back to 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Initially set for the Holy Week, the rehabilitation of EDSA will start in late 2026, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The long-overdue EDSA rehabilitation has been rescheduled to allow the DPWH to prioritize infrastructure projects related to the country’s hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in 2026, Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said yesterday.

Road works from Guadalupe Bridge to Pasay will start on May 15 after the midterm elections as it will be traversed by visitors during the ASEAN meeting. The major EDSA rehabilitation will begin in late 2026 or early 2027, Bonoan said.

In January, Bonoan issued an order forming the DPWH ASEAN 2026 Committee chaired by DPWH Undersecretary for special concerns Carlos Mutuc.

Bonoan has designated DPWH Undersecretary for planning and public-private partnership services Maria Catalina Cabral as representative to the executive committee of the National Organizing Committee (NOC) formed by Malacañang to spearhead preparations for hosting the summit.

Malacañang earlier projected that up to P22 billion will be needed to prepare for the country’s hosting of the ASEAN Summit.

Only P5.2 billion for preparatory activities has been allocated this year to the Office of the President, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who chairs the NOC, said.

Bersamin said they had asked for P10.5 billion.