MANILA — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will begin rehabilitating EDSA on December 24 using Japanese technology designed to make the highway stronger and speed up construction.

The project follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to find faster and more cost-efficient solutions that minimize disruption to motorists and commuters.

“‘Yung unang plano, dalawang taon minimum. Sabi ng Pangulo, hindi pupwede ‘yan. Kailangan ‘yan maiksi. Kailangan minimal ‘yung disruption, so, ang bagong plano, walong buwan na lang imbis na dalawang taon gamit ang stone mastic asphalt,” said Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon.

The new technology will also reduce costs, saving the government around P11 billion—from the original P17 billion down to P6 billion.

Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez assured commuters that the EDSA Busway will remain operational to ensure faster public transport.

“Parati pong sinasabi ng Pangulo na dapat parating may pampublikong sasakyan. Titiyakin namin na may sapat na suplay [ng bus] ang ating EDSA Busway,” Lopez said.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said it will deploy additional personnel to manage traffic and provide alternative routes to ensure smooth flow.

The first phase of the rehabilitation will cover the stretch from Roxas Boulevard in Pasay to Orense in Makati and will start next week.