EDSA Rebuild Opportunity

The pause in the EDSA Rebuild program ordered by President Bongbong Marcos came at the right time. As Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon underscored, a major rehabilitation of EDSA happens only "once in a lifetime." We should therefore not miss the opportunity to refashion EDSA so that it serves all of us better and correct its many defects and deficits. Before proceeding, all agencies involved should be clear on the outcomes to be achieved.

The EDSA that we need is one that is safe, walkable, green, inclusive, conducive for mass transit, accessible for persons with disability and efficient for the movement of goods and people. When road space is limited, it should be devoted to the most productive and inclusive travel modes. A lane filled mainly with private cars moves only 600-1,600 persons per hour. A lane devoted to mass transit can move 10,000-25,000 persons per hour, while sidewalks and bike lanes can move five to 10 times more people than a motor vehicle lane.

EDSA Rebuild is an opportunity for the government to give full meaning to its policy pronouncements about prioritizing sustainable transport modes — public transport, walking and cycling. Under the National Transport Policy's implementing rules, "inclusive mobility and accessibility shall be achieved through the prioritization of people-mobility over vehicle-mobility ... In addition, provision for nonmotorized and active transport, such as walking and cycling, shall be incorporated in the design and implementation of transport projects."

In addition, the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 declares that "pedestrians and cyclists enjoy highest priority in the hierarchy of road users." The principle of "moving people, not cars" is also echoed in the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan 2023-2028, which underscores the point that the safety of all road users is of far greater importance than enhancing the flow or travel speed of motor vehicles.

The logic is clear. The current prioritization of EDSA for four-wheeled motor vehicles makes little sense and is a waste of public resources when we consider that cars are the least efficient use of road space and are major contributors to urban traffic, heat, noise and pollution. Studies show that only 11.5 percent of Greater Manila households are owners of four-wheeled motor vehicles. This calls for a transformation of EDSA so that it serves the needs of the majority and the most vulnerable. Cars should be among the users of a redesigned EDSA, but not its top priority.

The painful lesson we have learned over decades is that an EDSA devoted to moving cars is one of the root causes of Metro Manila's traffic and mobility crisis. A car-centric EDSA compels more Filipinos to use a private motor vehicle instead of walking, cycling or using public transport. To reverse this, we need an EDSA that will serve the range of different travel modes while ensuring that the most efficient and inclusive ones are safe, convenient and attractive. For short distances, walking or cycling should become the preferred travel option — very much possible on an EDSA with spacious and shaded sidewalks.

We also need an EDSA that is compliant with various accessibility laws — an obligation that has remained unfulfilled for decades by the very agencies tasked with their implementation. Several laws already guarantee that public infrastructure should not create a barrier for persons with disability: Batas Pambansa 344, the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (which has the force of law in the Philippines). In this context, all agencies involved in the EDSA Rebuild are obliged to remedy EDSA's disgraceful lack of compliance, an infrastructure deficiency that affects the lives of millions of Filipinos in Greater Manila who have some form of physical incapacity. EDSA Rebuild should demonstrate how the rights of persons with disability can be fully respected on our roads.

Every day on EDSA, there are lives lost and bodies maimed, in large part because authorities continue to give paramount importance to achieving faster vehicle speeds despite the obvious danger for all road users. EDSA was a highway decades ago, but the land uses and the urban environment are significantly different today. With EDSA traversing many dense population areas and commercial centers, it needs to serve a diverse set of road users, not only four-wheeled motor vehicles. It should be redesigned as a boulevard and no longer be an expressway.

The Philippine Road Safety Action Plan 2023–2028 calls for lower speed limits. The global safety prescription is a maximum of 30 kilometers per hour (kph) on urban roads — this is what we should push for along the entire stretch of EDSA. A lower speed limit for EDSA is already mandated by law, but ignored by concerned authorities. The Land Transportation and Traffic Code requires that the maximum speed limit should be 20 kph "through crowded streets."

Joint Memorandum Circular 2018-001 defines "crowded streets" as streets "with heavy pedestrian traffic, including all streets within a 500-meter radius of schools, public transportation terminals, markets, government buildings, churches and other places of worship, recreational places, facilities frequented by the youth, parks, shopping malls, movie houses, hotels, restaurants and other public places as may be determined by the city or municipal government."

Experience already tells us that a higher EDSA speed limit is not relevant, because average vehicle travel speeds on it are already quite low (closer to 20 kph). A car on a congested EDSA gains nothing from a higher speed limit. With a lower limit, however, we not only make EDSA safer for all, we also make alternative travel modes more attractive for everyone.

A transit- and people-oriented EDSA will have a huge positive impact on the lives of millions of Filipinos. An EDSA that prioritizes public transport, pedestrians and cyclists, and empowers persons with disability will be able to move a larger volume of people and goods using the same road space. It will be safer, healthier, greener, cooler, more inclusive, more productive, more vibrant and attractive — an EDSA that every Filipino will be proud of.

Source: Manila Times

Bulk price growth of building materials in NCR eases in May, retail price growth steadies

Wholesale price growth of construction materials in Metro Manila eased further in May, its slowest in three months, while retail price growth steadied, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported.

Based on preliminary data, the PSA showed that year-on-year growth of the construction materials wholesale price index (CMWPI) in the National capital region (NCR) cooled to 0.2% in May from 0.3% in April.

The May reading was significantly lower than the 0.6% growth posted in May 2024.

It was also the lowest year-on-year growth in three months, when February posted no annual growth.

Year to date, May CMWPI growth averaged 0.2%, significantly lower than the 0.9% growth a year earlier.

“The downtrend in the annual growth rate of the CMWPI was mainly caused by the slower annual increase of the concrete products index at 0.3% in May from 0.5% in the previous month,” the PSA said in the report.

Concrete products accounted for 45.7% of the index.

Slower growth was also recorded in tileworks: (2% in May from 3.6% in April), and electrical works (0.3% from 0.4%).

Meanwhile, the following commodities logged faster annual declines: fuels and lubricants (-4.7% form -4%), reinforcing steel (-0.9% from 0.6%), and cement (-1.5% from -1.4%).

On the other hand, stronger growth was recorded in the index of hardware (0.4% from 0.1%), doors, jambs, and steel casement (0.5% from 0.4%)., and PVC pipes (0.6% from 0%).

In a separate report by the PSA, the construction materials retail price index (CMRPI) steadied to 1% in May, from April and from a year earlier.

The May CMRPI outcome was the lowest in 14 months or since the 0.6% in March 2024.

In the five months to May, CMRPI in NCR averaged 1.1% from 1% in January-May 2024.

The CMRPI is based on 2012 constant prices, while the CMWPI is based on 2018 constant prices.

The PSA attributed the steady growth to slower annual increases in the following commodity groups: carpentry materials (0.1% in May from 0.4% in April), painting materials and related compounds (2.1% from 2.4%), plumbing materials (0.5% from 1.5%), and tinsmithry materials (1.3% from 1.5%).

Meanwhile, among the seven commodity groups in the CMRPI, masonry materials (1.1% from 0.6%) and miscellaneous construction materials (0.4% from 0.3%) posted faster annual growth.

Nicholas Antonio T. Mapa, senior economist at Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., said that he expects modest growth increases in building material prices, which reflects robust but subdued demand for construction activity.

“A further reduction in borrowing costs could help spur a rise in demand for construction projects and activity in the coming months,” he said.

In its April policy meeting, the central bank slashed borrowing costs by 25 basis points (bps), resuming its easing cycle. So far, the central bank has reduced key rates by a total of 100 bps since it began its easing cycle in August 2024.

Source: Manila Times

How Infrastructure is Transforming Housing Choices in the Philippines

The way Filipinos choose where to live is evolving, and infrastructure development is driving this transformation. With PHP 1.54 trillion allocated to major projects in 2024 alone, the country is seeing significant improvements in roads, transport systems, and interregional connectivity. These developments are expanding housing options beyond Metro Manila, creating new residential hubs and investment opportunities in emerging cities.

The Shift from Congestion to Connectivity

For decades, homebuyers prioritized properties within Metro Manila’s business districts, where employment opportunities were concentrated. However, this often came at the cost of long commutes and expensive real estate. Now, major expressways, rail systems, and bridges are reshaping how and where people choose to live.

The completion of projects like the North-South Commuter Railway, Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX), and Metro Manila Subway is reducing travel times and making suburban living more convenient and attractive. As a result, Bulacan, Pampanga, Laguna, Cavite, and Batangas are experiencing a surge in demand from homebuyers looking for better accessibility and more affordable housing options.

The Impact of Metro Manila’s Traffic on Housing Preferences

Metro Manila’s traffic congestion remains a major challenge, ranking 27th globally in congestion levels and 14th in travel time according to the 2024 TomTom Traffic Index. Commuters lose an estimated 127 hours per year during rush hour, with an average travel time of over 32 minutes per 10 kilometers.

With this reality, many Filipinos are reconsidering their housing choices. Rather than endure daily traffic, more buyers are exploring homes in well-connected suburban cities where new transport projects are cutting travel times while offering a higher quality of life.

The Rise of Township Living

As connectivity improves, real estate developers are expanding master-planned communities and townships, integrating residential, commercial, and office spaces within a single location. Today, there are over 120 townships covering 134,000 hectares nationwide, offering residents the convenience of living near workplaces, retail hubs, and entertainment centers.

These townships cater to the changing preferences of homebuyers, who now prioritize walkability, sustainability, and smart living features. With work-from-home and hybrid work arrangements becoming the norm, these communities provide flexible and modern housing options that align with today’s lifestyles.

Affordability Challenges and Investment Opportunities

While infrastructure expansion is unlocking new residential markets, the rising cost of land, construction, and financing presents affordability challenges. However, developers and financial institutions are introducing creative payment terms, lower down payments, and flexible mortgage options to make homeownership more accessible.

For investors and homebuyers, emerging locations present strong opportunities. Properties in areas with ongoing transport projects are expected to appreciate significantly in the coming years, making them ideal for long-term investments. These areas not only offer more affordable real estate compared to Metro Manila, but also provide larger living spaces, modern amenities, and less congestion—key factors for those seeking a higher quality of life.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Housing in an Infrastructure-Driven Market

With continuous improvements in road networks, rail systems, and airport expansions, the Philippine real estate market is set for sustained growth. Homeownership is no longer limited to Metro Manila’s urban core—buyers now have greater location flexibility and more diverse housing choices.

For those planning to invest, understanding how infrastructure impacts property values is key. Areas that are currently more affordable but have upcoming transport projects will likely see strong price appreciation. Making strategic housing decisions early can lead to better returns and an improved living experience.

As the country continues to expand its infrastructure, real estate investment is becoming more dynamic than ever. The future of housing lies in accessibility, well-planned communities, and seamless mobility, where Filipinos can live, work, and thrive in a fully connected nation.

Source: Leechiu