MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a one-month suspension of the planned major rehabilitation of EDSA to give government agencies time to prepare measures that will address the expected traffic congestion during the project.

The suspension comes after concerns were raised about longer commute times once the two-year rehabilitation begins. Marcos made the announcement during the launch of the Pamilya Pass 1+3 Promo at the MRT-3 GMA-Kamuning Station in Quezon City.

“Pause muna doon sa rehabilitation. Huwag muna nating gagawin,” Marcos said, referring to his directive to Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan and Bases Conversion and Development Authority Chairperson Vince Dizon.

The government is conducting a cost-benefit analysis of the EDSA rehabilitation project, which will involve lane closures on the 23.8-kilometer highway spanning from Pasay City to Caloocan City.

Marcos said the suspension would allow the government to review new technologies that could potentially shorten the duration of the project and reduce its impact on commuters.