ILOILO – Can’t the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 work fast to finish the rehabilitation of Pavia, Iloilo’s poorly-constructed Aganan Bridge that constantly needs repairing? Disgusted people have gone online to express their frustration.
The four-lane Aganan Bridge in Barangay Aganan, Pavia links the highway from Iloilo City to the Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan town. Its closure due to repairs and the resulting rerouting of vehicles have caused traffic congestion – a major inconvenience to people going to the Iloilo Airport from the city and vice versa, and to those transporting goods.
“The longer the construction, more money for greedy individuals and politicians both from the local government unit and DPWH,” a Facebook user with the handle “Polo Marco” posted yesterday.
Another worried netizen, “Vesper Lynd”, posted on Facebook: “Grabe ang trapik bala, lalo na dira sa school zone sang Pavia, delikado sa ga-elementary nga mga bata. Tani may extra nga traffic personnel nga maga-assist.”
DPWH started repairing Aganan Bridge only late last year although it had been showing signs of deterioration for months prior – a regular occurrence since the bridge was expanded from two lanes to four lanes a few years ago.
These constant repairs are making people wonder about the quality of the bridge’s construction and its safety.
“Indeed, something is wrong with the bridge. Laging sumasayaw ang asphalt overlay nya. Maybe they have to thoroughly check what went wrong,” posted Facebook user “Antares Wein”.
Dino Tarrazona Masangcay agreed. He wrote: “Bwesit ‘ni, kadelikado ‘ni klase taytay.”
On Saturday, Pavia’s Mayor Lawrence Anthony “Luigi” Gorriceta theorized that aside from “old age”, another factor that contributed to the damage of the bridge was the number of trucks passing it, particularly overloaded heavy vehicles.
Aganan Bridge is relatively young though. It was originally a two-lane bridge reconstructed sometime in 2008-2009 after typhoon “Frank” destroyed it. No less than then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was invited by then Pavia mayor Arcadio Gorriceta to inaugurate it.
A few years ago the bridge was expanded to four lanes following the widening of the highway going to the Iloilo Airport.
What is currently undergoing repair are these two new lanes of the bridge although the other lane has also started showing signs of deterioration.
“Never-ending repair,” commented Facebook user Leo Pert Fandinola.
Frustrated netizens suspected that corruption tainted Aganan Bridge’s construction.
Facebook user Manny Celis posted, “DPWH isa sa pinakakurap na ahensya ka gobyerno…mga haslo…”
Another netizen, “Tor Tol” observed: “Pirme lang na di’ ‘ya may construction sa taytay nga ‘ni. Ubra nga ‘di matapos-tapos. Hungod sa kalag?”
A netizen warned concerned government officials of comeuppance. Posted Carlito Diaz: “Tama na…sobra na nga pangurakot. May karma bala.”
Facebook user Jhon Paul Guamen expressed his frustration, too: “Nauna pa sa bulsa ang budget ka project kaysa sa i-gastos mismo sa project.”
Some netizens sought explanation from DPWH Region 6 currently headed by Director Lea Delfinado whose office had not said anything about the state of Aganan Bridge despite the public uproar.
“DPWH Region 6…sabat,” demanded Whoamie Del Cruz on Facebook.
On the other hand, Edwin Portillo, posted, “Ayusin nyo ‘yan ha, kahuluya gid kamo sa DPWH! Engineers kamo o gin-gineers? Inubrahan nyo daw iya sang hubog nga tawo! Tapal lang nga tapal obra nyo!”
Facebook user Aileen Aguero Tigley suggested the repairmen do overtime work: “Kung ginadalian ‘ni, tani may naga-overtime man sang pag-ubrahanay. Pero pirmi mo agyan workinghours wala pa tawo…San-o ‘ni matapos ila ubra? Daku na nga abala sa tanan.”/PN
