ILOILO City – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 will observe the traffic situation in the Ungka area this coming weeks before deciding whether to open the Ungka flyover in Barangay Ungka II, Pavia, Iloilo for longer hours, or not.
This, according to DPWH-6 officer-in-charge Engr. Sanny Boy Oropel as an initial response to the letter sent by 2nd District’s Cong. Michael Gorriceta who requested longer open hours in anticipation of the volume of vehicles entering Iloilo City for events, the opening of lights, and generally the Christmas season.
“Kon kinahanglan gid nga i-open because of the traffic condition sa idalom, i-open namon. Sa subong indi pa man gid kinahanglan,” Oropel told Panay News.
Oropel will take a particular look at the situation starting Dec. 15, where it is expected that everyone will be busy shopping for the celebrations.
“Tan-awon naton ang holiday gid, ang holiday man lang is Dec. 15 to Dec. 30, and just in case nga damo gid salakyan, we will decide kay nagasugod na ina ang aton rectification activity mo,” he added.
Gorriceta, in his letter sent last week, said: “The flyover is located within the border of Iloilo City and the second district. It has been our constant goal to look after the welfare of our constituents, especially those residing in the towns covering the district who have been passing through the flyover daily and using it for an easier means of travel.”
It added: “In this regard, considering the structural integrity and safety of the Ungka flyover, may I respectfully request for its full reopening from December 2023 to January 2024 to accommodate the numerous motorists this coming holiday season and to lessen the burdensome traffic that we are expecting in these busy months.”
Another factor DPWH-6 considers in deciding on the request is its effect on the conduct of rectification, particularly jet grouting on the 13 piers.
Oropel explained that since there is a rectification activity that will be done under the flyover, it is likely to affect the flow of traffic for passing vehicles underneath. If that happens, he may decide to open the flyover for longer hours.
“Once maka-start ang rectification and jet grouting, i-evaluate namon. Pero kon kinahanglan gid, kon nagaduro gid, while we were doing the rectification, ma-traffic na da sa dalom, so puede naton mapasaka sa babaw ang traffic,” he said.
Meanwhile, motorists were keen to notice yesterday, Dec. 4, around noontime and even in the afternoon, that the flyover’s inner lane from Pavia to Iloilo City was open to light vehicles past its schedule.
The DPWH-6 clarified through Panay News that no go signal was given. Oropel has already ordered to determine who consented to it.
Supposedly, the original schedule is from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m., from Monday to Saturday./PN
