ILOILO City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) reconsidered its plan to pass a resolution calling for the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) takeover of the defective Ungka flyover and impose sanctions on the project contractor.
It’s premature to do that, according to Councilor Johnny Young, chairman of the SP committee on engineering, construction and public works.
“Indi ‘ta ka jump into conclusion nga mapa-takeover lang dayon sa DPWH kay waay ‘ta kabalo sang ila kontrata kon ano ang terms and conditions. Also, wala pa kita nakabaton sang ila explanation,” said Young.
Thus the SP instead simply urged DPWH and IBC yesterday to explain the problem in the newly-built but already sinking P680-million flyover.
DPWH temporarily closed the Ungka flyover on Sept. 18 – two weeks after fully opening it to traffic – after vertical displacement on its three piers was observed.
Last week, Councilor Plaridel Nava suggested that the council press for the flyover’s takeover and imposing “damages” on the contractor.
Only after the SP had received an explanation from DPWH and IBC would it decide on its next move, said Young yesterday.
Nava said he understood his colleagues’ position and did not object.
“Pamatian anay ang explanation nila. We will give (DPWH and IBC) due process. Ngaa nag amo na ang project? So far wala explanation ang contractor kag DPWH. Hulaton anay ang explanation before we make a conclusion,” said Nava.
The Ungka flyover is 453.7 lineal meters long on a bored pile foundation, including the approaches. Construction started in January 2020.
The flyover passes over the busy intersection of the Sen. Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Avenue (Diversion Road) and the President Corazon C. Aquino Avenue (Circumferential Road 1). It aims to decongest traffic in Barangay Ungka, Jaro district and Barangay Ungka 2, Pavia, Iloilo and shorten the travel time to the Iloilo Airport (in Cabatuan, Iloilo) from Iloilo City to just 20 minutes.
DPWH central office confirmed having hired a third-party consulting firm to conduct an independent geotechnical investigation to determine the root cause of the vertical displacement of the Ungka flyover.
Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan last week said the investigation should determine if there is a problem with where the flyover’s piers 4, 5 and 6 were erected.
Nava suggested last week that the SP call out the flyover contractor.
“Nobody has spoken about the contractor. In fairness to DPWH, that (flyover) is not their project until nga matapos sang contractor kag ma-turnover,” said Nava.
“Puro lang black eye ang DPWH, waay gid may gatandog sa contractor…Abi nila na karun they are untouchable. Testingan ta man bi ang contractor panawagan if we want to be serious about this,” said Nava./PN
