The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is gearing up to begin the major rehabilitation of Circumferential Road 5 (C-5) by the final week of November, a ₱2.5-billion infrastructure project designed to upgrade one of Metro Manila’s key arterial routes.
Spanning 23 kilometers from the Kalayaan Interchange to Commonwealth Avenue, the project is targeted for completion by late January or early February 2028 — about 420 days from its start date. DPWH Secretary Giovanni Lopez confirmed the initiative is now at the post-qualification stage of bidding, with the Notice of Award expected by November 18 and the official go-ahead for contractors to follow roughly one week later.
Roadworks will follow a schedule similar to the ongoing EDSA rehabilitation to keep daily commuter disruption to a minimum, with general construction hours set between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. depending on the work area. The project will reinforce the road structure and lay new asphalt to ensure safer, smoother travel for all vehicles. Sidewalks will also be widened along the route, creating better, more accessible space for pedestrians and cyclists. The DPWH will coordinate closely with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to manage traffic flow throughout the construction period.
Notably, cost savings from the revised EDSA rehabilitation program — where projected expenses were brought down from ₱17 billion to just ₱6 billion — will help fund this vital upgrade. The Marcos administration has made it a key policy priority to finish improvements to both EDSA and C-5, Metro Manila’s two busiest circumferential roads, within its term.
For the public, this means safer, more durable roads that reduce vehicle wear and travel delays, while wider walkways and cycling lanes promote better, more inclusive mobility across the capital.
