ILOILO City – Despite construction delays caused by inclement weather, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 remains optimistic that the Jibao-an flyover in Barangay Jibao-an, Mandurriao district will be operational next month.
“It’s set to open on Oct. 15; we]re committed to ensuring that. Once we make a commitment, we diligently work towards fulfilling it,” DPWH-6’s officer-in-charge, Engr. Sanny Boy Oropel, shared in an interview with Panay News.
Currently, two teams are working on the flyover’s approaches. Oropel said the sidewall for these approaches is under construction. He emphasized the need for a meticulous construction methodology.
“Our construction methodology is stringent, especially considering that the sidewall, which safeguards the approaches, requires detailed precision,” he explained.
After the project contractor, International Builders Corporation (IBC), completes the construction by Oct. 15, DPWH-6 plans to conduct a final safety inspection of the structure before opening it to the public.
“We’re targeting an Oct. 15 opening, following the final inspection,” Oropel emphasized.
Upon his appointment on Aug. 8, Oropel inspected the Jibao-an flyover and discovered that the delay in constructing the approaches was due to issues related to the acquisition of the right of way. Consequently, he collaborated with IBC and the Iloilo City District Engineering Office (ICDEO), which oversees the construction, devising strategies to expedite project completion. They particularly evaluated the pace of daily civil works to determine feasibility for the October timeline.
The P591-million Jibao-an flyover, positioned along the Iloilo Circumferential Road (C-1), stretches 240 meters and boasts two lanes featuring six 40-meter-span pre-stressed concrete girders (PSCG). Construction commenced in late 2020.
The flyover aims to facilitate access to the southern part of Iloilo and the neighboring province of Antique while reducing traffic congestion in the neighboring towns of Pavia and San Miguel, as well as the roads within Mandurriao district.
During the Aug. 8 inspection, Oropel directed project engineers to adhere strictly to the approved design and safety standards. He further advised them to maintain close supervision throughout the project to prevent unforeseen issues./PN