ILOILO – Abinales Associates Engineers + Consultants, a Metro Manila-based firm, has been declared the winning bidder to conduct a geotechnical study for the Aganan flyover in Barangay Aganan, Pavia, Iloilo.
The confirmation came from Engr. Sanny Boy Oropel, officer-in-charge of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6.
Geotechnical investigations are crucial in construction projects as they help determine the physical properties of subsurface soil and rock, influencing decisions on the appropriate construction techniques and assessing potential environmental impacts.
Abinales Associates, also responsible for the geotechnical study of the Ungka flyover in Barangay Ungka II, Pavia, was chosen due to its prior experience and proximity advantages, according to Oropel.
“The location proximity of Aganan to Ungka gives Abinales an edge over other contenders since their equipment is already positioned in Iloilo,” Oropel explained.
Furthermore, Abinales submitted a bid under the DPWH-6’s allotted budget of P15 million for the geotechnical study, making it the most economical choice, he added.
The need for hiring a third-party consultant like Abinales arose after discrepancies were noted between the soil test results conducted by the United Technology Consolidated Partnership (UTCP) and the confirmatory and seismic tests carried out by DPWH-6.
Oropel highlighted significant differences in the depth of solid ground identified by the two tests, which are vital for establishing the foundation of the flyover’s piers.
The UTCP, hired by the Bureau of Design at the DPWH-Central Office, initially found solid ground at a depth of 24 meters, whereas DPWH-6’s tests suggested a depth of 40 meters and above.
“We require a consultant to definitively determine the status of the Aganan bridge foundation because of these conflicting findings,” said Oropel.
Abinales Associates has requested three months to complete the geotechnical study but has been urged by DPWH-6 to expedite the process to resume construction, which was temporarily halted in December 2022./PN
