BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) emphasized the importance of resolving water pipe leakages in the Ungka flyover’s vicinity in Pavia, Iloilo and this city promptly to avoid further delays in the flyover’s rectification.
Mayor Jerry Treñas, sharing DPWH’s concerns, also highlighted that the burst pipes and resultant leakages have contributed to delays in the flyover’s rectification.
As the chairperson of the Infrastructure Development Committee of the Regional Development Council (RDC) under the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Region VI, Treñas issued a formal directive to Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW).
He requested a commitment from MPIW along with a completion timeline for the necessary engineering works to resolve the ongoing water leakages in the area.
MPIW admitted that the water leakage have worsened due to the deteriorated condition of the water pipes, which were originally installed in the 1970s.
In a letter addressed to DPWH Region 6 and Treñas, MPW chief operating officer Angelo David Berba said aging pipes are particularly vulnerable to vibrations and environmental pressures, which have contributed to the current situation.
Engr. Sanny Boy Oropel, DPWH-6 regional director, has called on MPIW to expedite the repair of water pipe leakages beneath the Ungka flyover.
The flyover, which opened to the public on December 23, 2024, is scheduled for official turnover, including its access roads, on January 22, 2025. However, the persistent pipe leakages have caused delays in the progress of the project.
In his letter, Oropel reminded MPIW that prior to the jet grouting activities at the Ungka flyover, the agency had held several meetings with MPIW, urging them to bypass the old and deteriorating pipes and connect them to existing water lines.
Despite these agreements, recent inspections have revealed water leakage caused by burst pipes, further hindering the project’s completion.
Oropel urged MPIW to accelerate the necessary repairs to resolve the issues and ensure public safety and convenience.
In response to the request from the DPWH, Berba emphasized that MPIW took immediate action upon receiving the request on December 27, 2024.
“We began by reducing water pressure to allow DPWH to continue with their jet grouting activities and held a coordination meeting to ensure all stakeholders were aligned and ready to address the issue promptly,” Berba said.
MPIW also collaborated closely with DPWH, conducting a joint inspection to ensure the planned actions were in line with the flyover’s timeline while minimizing disruption to the public and protecting the structural integrity of the flyover.
A detailed letter outlining the results of the inspection, along with the agreed-upon actions, has been submitted to DPWH.
In line with this, Berba said MPIW began preliminary work on January 7, 2025. The company will replace the affected 50-year-old pipes by installing a bypass line. MPIW expects the bypass work to be completed within three days, by January 15, 2025.
Berba also noted that the work is part of MPIW’s ongoing HS Jaro Project, and stressed that the company is not only addressing temporary leak repairs but is also working on a long-term solution.
MPIW is planning to upgrade and repair the existing water pipeline system to ensure its durability. This long-term solution, while necessary, will require more time due to the complexity of the tasks involved./PN
