ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry P. Treñas has no problem if the flyover in Barangay Ungka II, Pavia, Iloilo will not be opened to light vehicles in time for the Dinagyang Festival 2023.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Manuel Bonoan inspected the flyover on Jan. 13 and pronounced that he won’t recommend the reopening of the flyover because there are still “movements” detected especially in piers 4, 5 and 6 of the flyover.
“Ang akon lang nga ginapangayo sa DPWH is that they come up with a definite stand what should be done with the flyover,” said Treñas.
He also emphasized that what he requested, particularly to the DPWH regional office, is to work fast on the expansion of the roads on both sides of the flyover.
DPWH-6 regional director Nerie Bueno earlier committed to work double time.
“Very important sa akon nga obrahon 24 hours ang magtimbang nga dalan because kon matapos na the earliest possible time, ang inconvenience sa tawo madula man,” said Treñas.
The opening of the flyover to small and light vehicles, as suggested by Bueno, was supposed to be one of the solutions to ease the traffic congestion in the area especially for the upcoming festival.
Treñas reiterated that the city government will help manage the traffic in the area in coordination with the local government of Pavia.
Particularly, the city government will hire 100 traffic aides.
“Ini sila will be assigned nga magbulig gid sa traffic dira sa flyover para makabulig man sa pumoluyo ta,” said Treñas.
Earlier, as instructed by Treñas, Public Safety and Transportation and Management Office (PSTMO) head Jeck Conlu said they have worked with the Pavia Traffic Management and the transport sector regarding the traffic management at the Ungka flyover.
Conlu said 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 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./PN
