BY GLENDA TAYONA and IME SORNITO
ILOILO City – The opening of the Ungka flyover in Barangay Ungka II, Pavia, Iloilo to small and light vehicles is one of the solutions being eyed to ease the traffic congestion in the area especially for the upcoming Dinagyang Festival.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 has already asked permission from its central office, particularly from the Bureau of Design (BOD), said Regional Director Nerie Bueno.
“We have yet to receive the approval,” Bueño told Mayor Jerry P. Treñas during a meeting yesterday at city hall.
She added that if not yesterday, they will possibly receive a response from the DPWH central office today.
Treñas discussed with various stakeholders possible solutions to the traffic congestion in the vicinity of the P680-million newly-built but defective Ungka flyover. Pavia mayor Luigi Gorriceta confirmed his attendance but failed to show up.
Bueno said DPWH-6 also plans a road test to check the stability of the structure.
“What we are waiting is the approval of our Bureau of Design… We cannot do anything if they will not approve it. Siempre po pag-aaralan din nila kasi baka ‘yung magiging effect is maging serious naman if we are going to use it and later on, because of the seriousness, baka hindi na po magkaroon ng technical intervention na pwede natin gawin sa flyover. We would like to make sure lang po na maging safe para sa atin,” said Bueno.
Cong. Michael Gorriceta of the 2nd District of Iloilo sent a letter yesterday to the DPWH central office, also requesting to open a portion of the Ungka flyover.
Gorriceta believes opening the flyover to light vehicles will alleviate the traffic bottleneck in the area.
“In light of the various concerns regarding the Ungka flyover, I sent a letter to DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan stating the apprehensions of the public and requested for the possible reopening of the lanes that have completed its retrofitting for safety and structural integrity to ease the inconveniences of the motorists,” he said.
The solon explained that motorists and residents continue to endure inconveniences brought about by the closure of the flyover.
“As we have recalled during our meeting at the DPWH central office last Dec. 6, 2022, we have taken into consideration the action taken by your department regarding the observed vertical displacement and the technical working team you have sent to implement the intervention needed for the structure,” read part of Gorriceta’s letter.
It added, “Hence, considering and trusting that the department has sent experts to supervise and lead the retrofitting, repair, and improvement of the structural integrity and safety of the Ungka flyover, may I request that a portion of the flyover be opened for the passage of light vehicles to ease the inconveniences of the motorists passing through the area. That reopening of a few lanes of the flyover would greatly improve the traffic flow and ease the burden of the people passing this route.”
The congressman also sought immediate solutions from the department for the looming structural issues.
“Its review and analysis have long been anticipated by the general public, who have been attentive and vigilant in the eagerness to resolve these concerns,” Gorriceta added.
Another solution to traffic congestion is the road widening. Bueno said the DPWH is working on making a two-lane road on both sides of the flyover.
They also committed to Treñas to work overtime to hasten the completion of the road widening.
“In so far as the city government is concerned, we commit that we will support the traffic management there. We will assign traffic aides so that traffic can be managed in the meantime. We would like to get assurance from the DPWH that the widening of the road will be done expeditiously,” said Treñas.
The DPWH also committed to give weekly updates (every Tuesday) to the city government regarding the flyover and the final solution for it.
Meanwhile, Treñas told Bueno that he will have DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan declared persona non grata if he will not give update regarding the Ungka flyover when he arrives in the city on Friday, Jan. 13.
Prior to his statement on Bonoan, Treñas asked Bueno if the DPWH chief can be requested to give update to the media during his visit so that the people of Iloilo will know what is really happening to the flyover.
Bueno replied that she will tell Bonoan.
“We are asking if he can also give us an update. Whether he is going to give an update or not, it’s up to him… Just tell him that the mayor of Iloilo (City) is asking if he can give us an update. If he does not want to give us an update then we can declare him persona non grata,” the city mayor stated.
In a sideline interview after the meeting, Treñas was asked if he is serious about the persona non grata declaration, to which he replied that he only did not like the way Bueno answered him.
“I don’t like the way the question was answered. Namangkot man lang ‘ko kon pwede ka kahatag update. Indi manami panabat ni regional director. Bonoan is a good friend,” the city mayor said.
Treñas believes Bonoan will find time to give an update regarding the flyover.
“I’m sure he is going to give an update when he comes here. In the first place why is he coming here,” he said.
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
As instructed by Treñas, the Public Safety and Transportation and Management Office (PSTMO) has worked with the Pavia Traffic Management and the transport sector regarding the traffic management at the Ungka flyover.
According to PSTMO head Jeck Conlu, the Pavia traffic team will be the one to manage the vehicles from Pavia going to the city while the PSTMO personnel will manage the vehicles from from the city going to Pavia.
Conlu said the plan is to stretch or make a longer U-turn lane for vehicles from the city to Pavia up to the entrance of the Green Meadows subdivision. He noted that from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., the subdivision allows vehicles to make an alternative route through their subdivision especially those going to Pavia and Sta. Barbara areas.
The PSTMO head added they will have a separate U-turn lane for small and light vehicles and for big and longer vehicles.
“We hope to improve the traffic situation by at least 30 percent,” he said, adding that the critical time is during rush hours.
Conlu said the DPWH has committed to provide concrete barriers and signages.
He added that they will start this traffic scheme today if all the needed barriers and signages are already complete./PN
