JUST BECAUSE PRESIDENT Marcos announced the need to prepare for the Philippines’ hosting of the 2026 ASEAN summit and his plan to revive the Love Bus, popularized by and to immortalize his mom, former First Lady Imelda, the departments of public works and highways and transportation have cooked up crazy ideas to ensure the implementation of these grand plans.
DPWH said the major rehabilitation of EDSA, Metro Manila’s major artery– which had long been in a miserable state– would be postponed to ensure that preparations for next year’s ASEAN are undertaken earlier.
The DoTr will also be launching in Metro Manila the Love Buses, to be offered free to the commuters (a good idea if I may say, provided it lasts) for MM and in other key cities of the country. (But for how long this would be free is a big question.)The plan would utilize existing bus networks operating in EDSA, possibly those already being used in the bus carousel program, all timed before ASEAN.
A good image for our neighbors
Both plans of course are designed to make the country look great and progressive before our neighbors, even at the expense of the budgets for existing social services like health, education and public safety.
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, in a post SONA forum, said the rehab for EDSA could be done in 2027 and that his recommendation is awaiting approval by the President at P15 billion.
“It may not be practicable to do it (EDSA rehab) now but maybe next year or 2027,” Bonoan was quoted by Bilyonaryo. But DPWH will explore construction technologies that would hasten the rehabilitation and minimize traffic disruption and inconvenience to the people.
Bonoan reiterated the President’s order of avoiding extended road closures on EDSA, a 23.8-kilometer thoroughfare connecting Pasay City in the south to Caloocan City in the north.
Bonoan said the department has something to recommend that would not require lane closures for long and could lead to slight reduction in cost. The President last June ordered the temporary suspension of EDSA rehab works because of concerns over the severe traffic congestion the project could cause, and to allow agencies to conduct a cost-benefit analysis and evaluate less disruptive approaches.
Love Bus Revival
The DoTr insists it would tap existing bus and modern public utility vehicle operators to run the revived “Love Bus” service as the project does not need buying new units. This would be done through service contracting agreements under the Love Bus brand.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said at his post-SONA briefing the Love Bus, introduced in 1975 by Marcos Sr. has become a cultural icon that introduced airconditioned, blue-colored buses to modernize MM’s transport system.
“We will work with existing operators along established routes to serve areas where the most commuters will benefit, particularly in major cities across Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and the NCR,” Dizon said.
Launched in Cebu, Davao
The program will initially utilize routes already launched last week, including 100 modern PUVs in Cebu and about 15 buses in Davao, all to be rebranded under the Love Bus campaign. He clarified that there would be no retrofitting involved.
In Cebu and Davao, it’s already running. We will keep on expanding, he said.
The government plans to introduce the service gradually to other cities under a subsidy scheme similar to previous service contracting programs, ensuring commuters enjoy free rides as coverage grows nationwide.
For this year, Dizon said the budget for service contracts for the Love Bus will come from the Office of the President. He noted that the DOTr will request this line item for its budget in 2026. Dizon said before the year ends, the DoTr will launch the Love Bus nationwide.
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