ILOILO City – Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 has expressed its readiness to face a congressional investigation into the P990-million Ungka Flyover over structural concerns.
Engineer Sanny Boy Oropel, regional director of DPWH-6, said he has nothing to hide regarding the flyover project, pointing out that he only inherited the design problem and oversaw the implementation of corrective measures that led to the flyover’s reopening at full capacity on December 23, 2024.
In an interview with Panay News, Oropel emphasized that the flyover rehabilitation was based on scientific and actual evaluations done by DPWH engineers in coordination with the Bureau of Design in Manila.
He was reacting to the call for a congressional probe following the collapse of several infrastructure projects across the country, including the newly built bridge in Barangay Alibago, Enrile, Cagayan, which collapsed in December 2024 before its official opening, and the Magapi Bridge in Balete, Batangas, which buckled in October 2024. Another structure, the Bantilan Bridge connecting Batangas and Quezon, caved in due to strong underwater currents in October 2022.
The probe was prompted by House Resolution No. 2257 filed by Manila 2nd District’s Cong. Rolando Valeriano on March 24. The resolution urges the DPWH to conduct a comprehensive inspection and audit of bridges, flyovers, and overpasses nationwide to assess their safety and durability for public use. It also directs the House Committees on Public Works and Highways, Good Government and Public Accountability, and Metro Manila Development to investigate the persistent failures of costly public infrastructure projects.
Eight structures were listed for inquiry, including the Ungka Flyover, which was closed less than two weeks after its opening in September 2022 due to reports of subsidence. The flyover was fully reopened in December 2024 after a two-phase rectification process.
Valeriano’s resolution comes amid mounting public scrutiny over the sudden collapse of the P1.225-billion Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge in Isabela, which had been under construction for nearly a decade. The resolution also cited the following collapsed bridges:
* Marilog Bridge, Davao City (July 2023)
* Carlos Romulo Bridge, Bayambang, Pangasinan (October 2022)
* Borja Bridge, Bohol (June 2022)
* Loay-Clarin Bridge, Bohol (April 2022)
Oropel welcomed the congressional investigation, saying it could lead to a broader and more systematic check on the condition of aging infrastructure across the country.
“We respect all resolutions filed by our leaders. This investigation is not necessarily because there are defects or anomalies, but to determine the status of all existing bridges, not just Ungka,” he said.
He added that many bridges were built years ago and are due for rehabilitation but are hampered by limited government funding.
He also noted that the inspection is timely in preparation for possible major seismic events such as “The Big One.”
Asked if he is confident about the structural integrity of the Ungka flyover, Oropel responded, “We wouldn’t have opened it to full capacity last December if there were still problems.”
Oropel said he is ready to attend the congressional hearing once he receives a formal invitation from the House of Representatives.
The four-lane, 453.7-meter Ungka flyover was constructed beginning January 2020 and opened to traffic in the first week of September 2022. However, it was closed two weeks later after engineers detected vertical displacement.
Originally costing P680 million, the project incurred additional expenses after the issue was discovered. DPWH commissioned Abinales Associates Engineers + Consultants for a P15-million geotechnical investigation to identify the cause of the subsidence. The firm recommended jet grouting of the piers to reach a more stable layer of soil.
Phase 1 of the rectification, with a P95-million contract, was awarded to Monolithic Construction & Concrete Products, Inc., a Davao-based firm. Phase 2 involved jet grouting of the remaining piers and the installation of geofoam in unstable portions of the flyover, with a P200-million allocation.
The contractor for Phase 2 was International Builders Corporation (IBC), which also built the original flyover.
In total, the government spent around P990 million to open the Ungka flyover to full capacity./PN
