THE COMMENCEMENT of repair work (Phase 1) on the defect-ridden Ungka flyover in Pavia, Iloilo and Iloilo City could not have been more ill-timed. As the bustling city prepares for its vibrant Dinagyang Festival and the Jaro fiesta, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has decided to embark on a significant construction project. This move not only exacerbates the existing traffic congestion but also displays a startling lack of foresight and sensitivity to the community’s needs and traditions.
The P680-million Ungka flyover, a vital structure for the flow of traffic between Barangay Ungka, Jaro, Iloilo City, and Barangay Ungka II, Pavia, Iloilo, has been a subject of public criticism due to its structural issues. The rectification process, while necessary, raises critical questions about the timing and planning strategies of DPWH. The repair works involve enclosing piers and jet grouting, activities that will inevitably lead to significant traffic disruptions.
DPWH’s decision to initiate repairs during one of the city’s busiest weeks is bewildering. Festivals like Dinagyang are not just cultural landmarks but also vital for local businesses and tourism. This period requires smooth traffic flow more than ever, yet the department chose this very moment to begin a disruptive, four-month-long construction project. It is a decision that reflects a disconcerting disconnect with the pulse of the city.
While DPWH mentioned coordination with local government units to manage traffic, this seems more like a reactive measure rather than proactive planning. Its assurance of “proper housekeeping” in the area, including measures to deal with the dug-up soil and debris, does little to mitigate the fundamental issue: the timing of the repairs.
DPWH lacks common sense in scheduling these repairs. Common sense in public governance is not just about making decisions but making them at the right time. Public infrastructure projects, especially those as significant as the Ungka flyover repairs, need to be planned considering the community’s social and economic activities.
The Ungka flyover, no doubt, requires urgent attention essential for its longevity and the public’s own safety. However, the timing of these repairs should have been scheduled either well before the Dinagyang season or after its conclusion. This would have demonstrated a balance between the urgency of infrastructure repair and respect for the city’s social fabric.
Frankly, this is a classic example of bureaucratic oversight lacking in practical wisdom. It is a lesson in the importance of harmonizing infrastructure development with the rhythms of community life. DPWH, moving forward, must take a more holistic approach in its planning, one that encompasses not just the technical aspects of construction but also the socio-cultural dynamics of the areas affected. Only then can such essential projects be executed without turning into a public inconvenience and a matter of widespread criticism.
