You might have already heard that the MMDA plans to implement a completely rational and not-at-all-confusing coding-slash-odd-even scheme on EDSA. This is all in an effort to lessen the impact of the rehabilitation of Metro Manila’s busiest and most iconic thoroughfare.

We here at VISOR are just as flabbergasted as you are at the thought of being limited to plying the highway only twice every week (once for some unlucky numbers), especially since we review cars on a daily basis. So, how exactly will our work be affected by all this hullabaloo?

Highway 54 isn’t just a route; it’s a bona fide testing environment. It provides a range of urban driving conditions: heavy traffic, uneven surfaces, flyovers, underpasses, and occasional stretches of open road. All of these are ideal for evaluating a car’s behavior in everyday situations.

One of the strengths of local car reviews is how relatable they can be. When a reviewer drives down EDSA or navigates Ortigas traffic, readers or viewers instantly recognize the experience. Such a scenario grounds the review in reality. Things like fuel efficiency in stop-and-go traffic, ride comfort over bumpy pavements, and noise isolation in noisy environments are all part of what viewers expect from local car reviews.

We operate on tight schedules and with limited production crews. More complex logistics would inevitably affect timelines and deadlines. Limiting access to EDSA would force teams to use equally congested secondary roads such as C5 or Commonwealth, or even venture outside the city’s peripheries just to conduct quick shoots. This not only increases time and travel costs, but it would also require additional coordination. Good thing the Skyway will be toll-free (to an extent).

Limiting access to EDSA would force teams to use equally congested secondary roads such as C5 or Commonwealth, or even venture outside the city’s peripheries just to conduct quick shoots

We’re pros and we’re also law-abiding citizens. If EDSA is off-limits, we won’t be stubborn. As an alternative, we may use manufacturer-organized test drives or private tracks more than usual just to get a better feel of new vehicles. While these offer clean and consistent conditions, they also remove a level of independence from the process. This could blur the line between independent reviews and promotional content, something that more discerning viewers may notice. Of course, we will try our best to deliver quality reviews even if some of us live (trapped?) along EDSA-Guadalupe. Ugh.

With hybrids and EVs being exempted from coding, brands may lend out fewer petrol-only variants. Sure, we care about the environment as much as the next publication, but we also realize that variety is the spice of automotive life. Good thing the NEV (new energy vehicle) market is quickly picking up locally, and there is no shortage of new entrants.

EDSA has long been part of the DNA of local car reviews. Its rehabilitation would certainly be a shake-up, forcing creators to adapt, rethink workflows, and find new ways to stay relevant and relatable. This could give rise to a new style of review—one that blends lifestyle, travel, and automotive storytelling. Some might also double down on in-depth explorations of technology, interior comfort, or owner-focused content such as the cost of maintenance and long-term use cases.

Come to think of it, we now have more excuses to go to La Union or Pagudpud. Will our editors reimburse the expenses (wink-wink)?