The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has ordered 24/7 round-the-clock construction to ensure the long-delayed drainage and road rehabilitation project along the Manila-Cavite Road in Noveleta, Cavite is completed before December 2026. Following intense public complaints over crippling traffic, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon personally inspected the stagnant construction site on July 21, 2026, and mandated immediate fast-tracking.
A Stalled Project That Crippled Daily Commutes
The unfinished drainage upgrade along the San Rafael portion of the Manila-Cavite Road had turned the thoroughfare into a flooded, mud-pitted choke point, ballooning travel times between Noveleta and Cavite City to up to two hours instead of the usual 20 minutes. The PHP75.9-million project, awarded to Waycon Builders, had been mostly idle and stalled for over two months after excavation work damaged water utility pipes. To resolve the issue, utility provider Maynilad stepped in to complete the necessary realignment of water pipelines, paving the way for construction to resume.
Long-Term Benefits for Cavite Commuters
Once completed, the revamped drainage system is designed to provide a permanent solution to the perennial, severe flooding issues plaguing low-lying areas of Noveleta, while restoring smooth traffic flow for thousands of daily Caviteño commuters. The directive aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s order to clear out long-delayed infrastructure bottlenecks nationwide.
Local Government Coordination and Bypass Project
The local government of Noveleta, led by Mayor Davey Chua, is coordinating closely with national agencies to monitor local traffic configurations and bypass projects while these 24/7 structural repairs wrap up. Complementing the drainage upgrade is the Manila-Cavite Bypass Road (NOVELEX), a 6-lane, 2-kilometer alternate highway connecting Cavite directly to CAVITEX, with a partial 2-lane opening targeted by 2027.
