On an ordinary weekday, EDSA, the infamous highway in the Philippines, is notorious for its traffic jams, turning what was once a reliable route into a daily nightmare for mass commuters. However, on Monday, 26 May 2025, the Move As One (MAO) movement held a significant event—a Jane’s Walk activity along the stretch of EDSA, starting from Ayala in Makati City and ending at People’s Park in Caloocan City.
EDSA, officially known as Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, was named after a prominent Filipino patriot and was established in 1959. Stretching 23.8 kilometers, it is part of the Pan-Philippine Highway and was designed to connect major cities in Metro Manila. Over the years, neglect has tarnished its original purpose. This led the government, in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank, to consider rehabilitation plans for EDSA, including a ₱8.7 billion initiative announced by the Department of Transportation set to begin on 13 June 2025. Public opinion remains skeptical about whether these plans will effectively meet the needs of commuters.
The MAO’s walk aimed to highlight the urgent need for improvements in EDSA. Accompanied by DOTr Secretary Vivencio “Vince” Dizon and 28 participants, the event, titled “May Tao Po sa EDSA” (There Are People on EDSA), sought to assess the walkability of the highway. Gathering at the corner of Ayala Avenue and McKinley Road at 6:00 am, the participants immediately encountered obstacles, such as dangerously narrow sidewalks. As they progressed, conditions worsened—litter, animal feces, the smell of urine, and uneven pavement revealed how EDSA had degraded over time. This experience underscored the neglect of the dignity owed to everyday pedestrians.
As the morning unfolded, more pedestrians joined the walk. Despite some dropping out, the remaining participants persevered, covering a distance of 22 kilometers and accumulating 33,000 steps before reaching People’s Park. This event marked the first recorded instance of a group walking the entire stretch of EDSA, shining a light on the pressing need for its rehabilitation and the restoration of its intended purpose as a thoroughfare for the people.
