PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has set a firm deadline for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to finish the long-delayed drainage expansion along Roxas Boulevard ahead of the rainy season to ease the perennial flooding that disrupts lives and paralyzes traffic in Manila’s key coastal artery.
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said on Tuesday that the president's directive is to finish all ongoing drainage expansion projects in the National Capital Region (NCR) before the onset of heavy rains in May.
“The instruction of PBBM is clear — finish all drainage upgrades in NCR before the rainy season. We want to complete the repairs by May. More importantly, the system must be continuous all the way to the Luneta Pumping Station,” Dizon said after inspecting the project.
He noted that for decades, even moderate rains have been enough to inundate stretches of Roxas Boulevard, stranding motorists, delaying commuters, and affecting nearby communities.
The situation worsens during high tide, when seawater compounds runoff and slows drainage, turning the area into a recurring flood hotspot.
To meet the deadline, Dizon said construction will be carried out on a 24/7 schedule, with crews working round the clock.
The project involves replacing outdated pipes with larger, high-capacity High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipes designed to move greater volumes of water more efficiently and withstand long-term wear.
Dizon emphasized that the upgraded drainage system will significantly improve water flow, allowing floodwaters to recede faster even during heavy downpours.
He added that integrating with the Luneta Pumping Station is also expected to enhance overall flood control by ensuring more efficient discharge of excess water into Manila Bay.
"These improvements are expected to speed up floodwater drainage, reducing the duration and severity of flooding in the area," he said.
Beyond easing traffic congestion, Dizon said that the project is critical for public safety and economic activity because flooding along Roxas Boulevard not only disrupts daily commutes but also impacts businesses, tourism and emergency response in nearby areas.
The drainage overhaul forms part of a broader flood mitigation push across the capital, as the government races against time to strengthen infrastructure before the peak of the rainy season.
If completed on schedule, the project could mark a long-awaited breakthrough for thousands of residents, workers and travelers who rely on one of Metro Manila’s busiest roads — and who have endured years of knee-deep floods with every downpour.
