ILOILO – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 has denied a request from the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Pavia, Iloilo to lengthen the serviceable hours of the defective P680-million Ungka flyover in Barangay Ungka II (6 a.m. to 8 p.m. straight) starting Dec. 15, 2023 to Feb. 3, 2024.
The request included managing vehicular traffic and the speed of vehicles passing over the flyover.
DPWH-6 officer-in-charge regional director, Engineer Sanny Boy Oropel, informed Vice Mayor Edsel Gerochi of this decision in a letter dated Jan. 3, 2024.
Oropel recognized that the opening of the flyover could alleviate traffic during the Dinagyang Festival in January 2024 and the Feast of Candelaria in Jaro on Feb. 2, 2024, which typically see a significant increase in tourists and locals in Iloilo City.
However, due to safety concerns and scheduled rectification works, including jet grouting of several piers, the flyover’s opening has been limited, he explained.
DPWH-6 has been monitoring traffic count on the Ungka flyover and noted that the partial opening to light vehicles since September 2022 (6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.) had eased congestion along the boundary of Iloilo City and the 2nd District of Iloilo.
Oropel stated that while DPWH-6 aims to fully reopen the flyover, the upcoming rectification work, funded with an allocation of P200 million in the 2024 DPWH Budget, necessitates its closure.
This work involves the removal and replacement of several spans and the addition of bored piles.
The Pavia SB resolution for the flyover’s opening, Resolution No. 2023-297, was passed on Dec. 11, 2023, in anticipation of increased traffic during the holiday season and upcoming festivals.
It cited heavy traffic at the intersection of the Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue and President Corazon Aquino Avenue, which would be alleviated by the flyover’s extended hours.
DISAPPOINTMENT
Local leaders have expressed disappointment with the DPWH-6’s decision, emphasizing the need for traffic relief in the area, especially during peak festival times. They argued that the delayed project completion has caused inconvenience to residents and urge the department to reconsider its stance on the flyover’s operating hours.
Cong. Michael Gorriceta of the 2nd District expressed a strong preference for the flyover to be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. straight, especially during the Dinagyang Festival and Jaro Fiesta, to alleviate traffic congestion in the Ungka area.
“It would be greatly beneficial if this were approved, as it would significantly help everyone who passes through, especially since I am certain that there will be heavy traffic during those times,” said Gorriceta.
Gorriceta also plans to inquire with Oropel about when the civil works for the jet grouting of the flyover’s piers will exactly commence.
This inquiry aims to understand whether the rectification work will affect the decision on the flyover’’s operating hours.
“It’s crucial to know if the budget and funds are in place and if work can start anytime now. I will look into it,” Gorriceta added.
SB member Jose Maria “Pyt” Trimañez, chairman of the Committee on Transportation, expressed his disappointment, too.
“I have lost trust in DPWH due to their varying responses and statements over time,” Trimañez said.
Trimañez mentioned that the residents of Pavia are waiting for the day when DPWH-6 starts repairing the flyover. He reiterated the need for accountability to prevent the recurrence of such problems.
He explained that the Committee on Transportation urged DPWH-6 to open the flyover from 6 am to 8 pm after observing severe traffic congestion, particularly from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. when the flyover is scheduled to close.
“The traffic, especially in December, was terrible, which led us to pass a resolution and urge DPWH to open the flyover. Unfortunately, they did not agree, and there is nothing we can do, but we hope they will consider it,” Trimañez added.
Trimañez criticized DPWH-6 for the delayed completion of the project, stating that the residents are the ones suffering the consequences. He speculated that those in DPWH-6 who decide the flyover’s operating hours might not be Iloilo residents, which could explain their lack of understanding of the residents’ sentiments, especially during the flyover’s closure./PN
