The Day EDSA Became a Breeze – A Letter from 2035
- Michael Alexander
- Mar 11
- 3 min read
Friends,
Ten years ago, in 2026, EDSA was a nightmare we all knew too well — the endless crawl from Cubao to Makati, diesel fumes choking the air, e-trikes sputtering on low battery, and the constant honk of frustration. It was the symbol of everything wrong with our mobility: wasteful, polluted, and stuck.
We were wrong to think it would stay that way forever.
By late 2026, the wars in Venezuela, Gaza, and Iran had dragged on for half a decade. Oil prices didn't just spike — they stayed at $150–$200 a barrel. In the Philippines, where we import 90% of our oil and burn through 500,000 barrels a day, gas hit ₱150–200 per liter. Families were spending 30–50% of their income just to get around. Something had to give.
And it did — with corridors.
Wireless charging lanes embedded in EDSA's right lanes, powering EVs as they drove. No plugs. No stops. Just a soft blue glow under your wheels, sipping energy from the grid or solar canopies overhead. Today in 2035, here's what EDSA and the Philippines actually look like:
Manila's Heartbeat – EDSA Transformed
The highway that once belched black smoke now hums with quiet efficiency. Electric jeepneys and e-trikes glide at steady speeds, charging on the move. Traffic jams? Cut by 40–60% because no one slows for low battery. Asthma cases in Metro Manila dropped 35% in the first five years. Hospitalizations for respiratory issues? Down 28%. Cleaner air means fewer doctor visits — saving families ₱5,000–10,000 yearly on health costs alone.
Economic Wins Across the Board
Super Volt corridors didn't just clean the air; they sparked jobs. Thousands of new roles in installation, maintenance, and tech support — many going to former diesel mechanics who retrained. Insurance rates for corridor-using EVs fell 15–25% thanks to fewer breakdowns and accidents. And oil imports? Slashed by 30% nationwide as EVs hit 60% market share. That's billions saved, flowing back into local economies — more small businesses, better schools, thriving communities.
Shining Examples: Boracay and Cebu
In Boracay, the island's ring road became a Super Volt loop. Tourists zip around on electric bikes, charging wirelessly while beach-hopping. No more smoky tricycles ruining the sunset. Visitor numbers up 20%, but emissions down 45% — meeting SDG 13 (Climate Action) head-on.
In Cebu, urban corridors cut commute times by 25%. Workers in Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu now afford EVs, thanks to lower operating costs (₱2–3 per km vs. ₱10+ for gas). Small vendors along the paths thrive — coffee stalls buzzing without the cough.
The Bigger Picture: SDGs Met & Lives Changed
Super Volt hits multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals:
SDG 7 (Affordable Clean Energy): Wireless efficiency reduces waste, making power "earned" through savings.
SDG 9 (Industry & Infrastructure): New jobs in green tech, boosting the common worker.
SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities): Cleaner, quieter streets mean healthier communities.
SDG 13 (Climate Action): PH emissions from transport dropped 25% — a win against climate change.
The common folks got the biggest leg up. No more choosing between gas or groceries. Families in Quezon City save ₱3,000–5,000 monthly on fuel. Kids breathe easier. Wars persist abroad, but here? We're free from oil's grip.
This wasn’t luck. It was vision — starting small with pilots like Pasig, scaling to EDSA and beyond. Now back in 2026, the question is: Will we wait for $200 gas and choking air... or start building the corridors today?
What do you think — is EDSA ready for its glow-up? Which city in the PH should get corridors first? Share your thoughts below. Let's make this future happen.
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