ILOILO City – Proposed House Resolution No. 721 seeking a legislative inquiry on the controversial P680-million Ungka flyover and the delayed construction of the P560-million Aganan flyover in Pavia, Iloilo is not moving.
“‘Di ginagalaw,” said Kabataan party-list’s Rep. Raoul Danniel A. Manuel, one of the proponents.
The others were Gabriela Women’s Rep. Arlene D. Brosas and ACT Teachers’ Rep. France L. Castro.
The proposed House Resolution No. 721 was filed in the Lower House on Jan. 26 yet. Manuel told Panay News its progress depends on the House leadership and the committee on infrastructure where it was tendered.
Iloilo 2nd District’s Cong. Michael Gorriceta and 3rd District’s Cong. Lorenz Defensor co-authored it.
“Gina-follow-up ta ina… it’s better mabatian sang Ilonggos from the House leadership kon ano ang plano sa resolution,” said Manuel.
A resident of this city, Manuel checked the flyover on Jan. 6 and saw for himself the inconvenience endured by motorists and residents.
He also said he experienced firsthand the uneven, or “wavy” decking of the Ungka flyover on September 2022, before its closure to traffic due to vertical displacement.
Congress should act on this matter, he said, because the project was funded through General Appropriations.
“‘Kon may projects ang DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) bisan diin nga bahin sang pungsod, gina-monitor and gina-ensure nga ining projects mapuslan gid man sang tawo. Indi amo na ang natabu sa Ungka flyover. Kay, ti, sa mga naga-istar lapit dira kag sa mga naga-alagi, nangin huol gid ini,” Manuel said.
P250 million ‘alarming’
Manuel said the at least P250-million flyover repair estimate is alarming.
Had the flyover been constructed properly, the public need not spend that additional amount, he lamented.
Because of this, Manuel said, “Indi puede nga kalimtan na lang naton kon sin-o ang may sala along the way nga nangin palpak ang construction.”
Manuel also said he supports the plan to file a complaint before the Ombudsman against the DPWH and project contractor International Builders Corporation.
The Kabataan party-list, he added, is also supporting the indignation rally today by cause-oriented and religious groups such as the Promotion of Church People’s Response Panay and Guimaras, and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan – Panay.
“Indi tani kita makapoy sa pag-demand sang insakto nga pagserbisyo kag i-intensify pa naton ang efforts kay indi puede we let this pass kag kalimtan na lang,” said Manuel./PN
