C-5 rehabilitation to start in last week of November: DPWH

DPWH Secretary Giovanni Lopez delivers a speech, March 2, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA —  The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said Tuesday the rehabilitation of Circumferential Road 5 (C-5) would begin in the last week of November.

“Ongoing na po yung cost qualification ng bidding dito. Kaya po natin mag-notice of award by mga November 18. A week after, kaya natin mabigay ng notice to proceed, kung wala pong magiging problema sa procurement,” DPWH Secretary Banoy Lopez said. 

He said the C-5 repairs would follow a similar approach to the EDSA rehabilitation to ensure “minimal disruption” to motorists through coordination with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and local government units (LGUs). 

The project will also be implemented “by phases” to minimize traffic disruptions, as the holiday season approaches.

“Nakikipag-ugnayan kami parati sa MMDA at sa local government, and this will be by phases also. Kung ano po yung pwedeng trabahuin, tatrabahuin na po natin,” Lopez said.

“Para lang yan sa EDSA. Hatinggabi hanggang madaling araw lang tayo and passable na kaagad the next day. So ganun din ang sistema napansin nyo naman sa EDSA, minimal yung disruption talaga,” DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon added.

A 23-kilometer stretch of C-5, from Kalayaan Interchange to Capitol Hills Drive, will undergo rehabilitation to ensure road durability and improve motorists’ safety.

Sidewalks will also be widened to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians.

“Grabe rin ang problema rito sa C-5. Ang mga kalsada rito babako-bako, aalon-alon, hindi lang napapansin masyado kasi nakatutok tayo sa EDSA,” Lopez said. 

“Ang kagandahan po sa proyektong ito ay pati yung bangketa, kung ano po yung template ng EDSA Rehab, yun din po yung gagawin natin dito. Papalawakin natin yung bangketa. Hindi lang para sa mga pedestrian, pati na rin sa mga siklista,” he said.

The project’s completion is targeted between January and February 2028.

“Yung savings po o yung natipid natin dyan, dito po inilagay sa C-5 Rehab. So these two major arteries po na yan ay maaayos natin sa termino ng pangulo at talagang magbabago po ang mukha ng C-5,” Lopez said.

Motorists expressed their expectations and concerns regarding the upcoming rehabilitation project.

“Hindi po maganda yung tulay, bako-bako. Sana yung ilalagay nilang materyales ay yung standard. Quality talaga (dapat) number one yun. Lahat ng dadaang motorista dapat talaga ligtas,” said Renato Pataller, a motorist.

“Maganda kung aayusin po. Maganda ang daloy niyan pag naayos yan. Naaano rin yung motor namin pag maraming lubak,” motorist Mel Ellaga said. 

“Mas magiging maginhawa sa mga motorista at mas safe. Kasi one time nagbabiyahe ako ng umuulan eh may biglang lubak, muntik na kami maaksidente. Safety na rin at mabilis na transportasyon,” added Marjun Gugula. 

The northbound lane reopened at noon on Monday, while the southbound lane reopened at midnight on the same day, ahead of the original schedule.

“Ang utos po ng pangulo ay ating pabilisan. In time po sa pagdagsa ng ating mga kababayan galing sa mga probinsya. Talagang pukpukan po ang trabaho ng DPWH,” Lopez said.

“Kailangang talaga gawin kasi safety issue ito. Kailangan palakasin natin ‘yung flyover,” Dizon added.