ILOILO City – Just compensation will be given to residents affected by the road widening along the whole stretch of the P680-million flyover from Barangay Ungka, Jaro district and Barangay Ungka II, Pavia, Iloilo, according to Secretary Manuel Bonoan of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“Babayaran po naman namin. Nakikipag-negotiate po kami. Wala ho akong dalang pera ngayon pambayad eh. Pero babayaran at babayaran po namin,” Bonoan said after members of the media relayed to him some concerns of the residents about their alleged non-compensation.
Bonoan, who was here on Jan. 13 to inspect the “sinking” flyover, added that the DPWH could not force the affected residents to vacate their homes if they have not been compensated.
Last week, DPWH Region 6, together with Ungka flyover project contractor International Builders Corporation (IBC), began the road widening. A lane is being added on both sides of the road beneath the flyover as an immediate solution to the traffic congestion in the area while the defective flyover remains closed for repairs.
Earlier, 2nd District’s Cong. Michael Gorriceta requested Bonoan to open the Ungka flyover for light vehicles.
However, after the inspection, Bonoan concluded it wasn’t safe yet to opening the flyover. Small (in millimeters) movements were observed in piers 4, 5, and 6 of the flyover.
Bonoan said the problem should be addressed first.
DPWH hired a third-party consulting firm to expedite the geotechnical investigation, determine the cause of the vertical displacement (sinking), and come up with applicable engineering interventions. /PN
