MANILA — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is pushing to finalize the widening of sidewalks along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), spanning from Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City up to Guadalupe in Makati City, prior to the conclusion of 2026, according to Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon.
Speaking on Wednesday, October 14, Dizon announced that the specific sidewalk upgrade initiative situated at the EDSA-Roxas Boulevard intersection in Pasay City is projected to wrap up ahead of the observance of All Saints’ Day.
The undertaking entails broadening pedestrian pathways on both the northbound and southbound lanes of the major thoroughfare to provide commuters with safer and more spacious walking conditions.
Dizon noted that the affected pathways have grown significantly from their original width of roughly 1.5 meters to an expanded span of 4.5 to 4.6 meters.
“Malaking bagay ito para sa mga commuters kasi hindi na sila kailangan naglalakad sa kalye, hindi na delikado. ’Yun ang importante,” Dizon stated.
The public works chief admitted that executing the construction phases in Pasay City has presented notable hurdles due to widespread right-of-way blockages, pointing out that various commercial establishments have encroached upon spaces designated for pedestrians.
“Very challenging lang itong Pasay kasi ang daming obstruction. Ang daming mga establishments na nag-occupy ng sidewalk,” he added.
Dizon further highlighted that persistent rainfall continues to disrupt project timelines, noting that field operations must be temporarily halted during wet weather spells to safeguard the integrity of newly poured or ongoing structural components.
DPWH Progresses on Metro Manila Drainage Upgrades
Aside from pedestrian pathway enhancements, Dizon reported that the agency has successfully upgraded 111 out of 440 target drainage inlets across the capital region over the last two months. These flood-mitigation efforts target vital thoroughfares such as EDSA, España Boulevard, Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Mother Ignacia Avenue, and Roxas Boulevard.
He pointed to areas like Estrella that previously suffered from severe inundation, noting that floodwaters which used to linger for up to two hours now dissipate rapidly following the recent drainage interventions.
EDSA Rehabilitation Timeline Remains Fluid
Meanwhile, Dizon clarified that the agency cannot yet commit to a definitive completion schedule for the comprehensive EDSA roadway rehabilitation program due to the unpredictable nature of weather patterns.
“I can’t give you a timeline yet kasi nga pagka umulan one month, one month na walang trabaho ’yan kasi masisira lang,” Dizon explained, emphasizing that extended rainy stretches force complete work suspensions to protect construction quality.
To date, overall structural repairs on the EDSA vehicular carriageway have reached approximately 40% completion. Northbound restoration efforts have advanced as far as Shaw Boulevard, while southbound improvements currently stretch from Monumento to Bagong Barrio.
The DPWH remains committed to executing sidewalk expansions, drainage upgrades, and full carriageway repairs simultaneously to bolster pedestrian safety, ease commuter mobility, and minimize flooding along key corridors in Metro Manila.