BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry Treñas has expressed his frustration anew over the prolonged repair of the Ungka flyover in Pavia, Iloilo.
Although the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) does not fall under his direct supervision, Treñas emphasized his responsibility as mayor to represent the over 500,000 residents of Iloilo City who rely on the flyover daily.
As chair of the Regional Development Council’s Infrastructure Development Committee, Treñas said he requested the DPWH to submit a comprehensive report detailing the necessary repairs and their completion schedule.
Treñas stressed that the people of Iloilo deserve answers, especially with the Christmas season fast approaching, a time when many will visit malls and other public places in the city. “We have waited long enough for the issue to be resolved,” he added.
Since September 2023, only the two inner lanes of the four-lane Ungka flyover have been open to light vehicles while repairs are ongoing to reduce traffic congestion in the area.
The flyover was initially opened in September 2022 but was closed a week after due to vertical displacement.
Engineer Sanny Boy Oropel, director of DPWH- in Western Visayas, earlier promised that all four lanes of the Ungka flyover will open to vehicular traffic by Dec. 25, 2024.
Likewise, Treñas also voiced his concerns over the delayed completion of several other projects by DPWH, specifically the JM Basa-Calle Real drainage project and the Petalsville drainage project.
The mayor said the delays have been causing significant inconvenience to residents and business owners.
He underscored the need for the DPWH to ensure that contractors complete these projects promptly to alleviate the difficulties faced by the community.
The Ungka flyover, which was observed to be sinking after it was opened to traffic, is facing a significant cost increase due to ongoing repairs.
DPWH Region 6 confirmed that the total cost of the project is set to rise to nearly P1 billion. Initially, the cost of the construction was P680 million, but additional expenses have mounted, including P13.5 million for a third-party investigation and P96 million for Phase 1 of the repairs.
Phase 2, awarded to the Iloilo-based International Builders Corporation (IBC), will cost P200 million, bringing the total to P989.5 million.
IBC also handled the original construction of the flyover.
Oropel defended IBC, stating that it was the “most qualified” contractor. He emphasized that the issue with the flyover stemmed from the design, not the construction.
A third-party investigation by Abinales Associates Engineers + Consultants confirmed that the vertical displacements in several piers of the flyover were caused by the design created by United Technology Consolidated Partnership (UTCP).
In addition, the DPWH-6 used geofoam technology in the second phase of repairs to the sinking flyover.
Oropel explained the geofoam will help correct the vertical alignment of the flyover sections that have settled. The geofoam will assist in leveling the flyover to match its original design.
The technology involves a rigid, cellular foam polymeric material that will be integral to the superstructure repairs.
The second phase of repairs, with a total budget of P192 million, will include P32.8 million allocated for 1,645 geofoam blocks. These repairs are being undertaken by the International Builders Corporation.
Oropel reassured the public, clarifying that while this is the first use of geofoam in Region 6, the material has been in use for over 20 years in various infrastructure projects, such as flyovers, embankments, and skyway approaches.
He emphasized that despite being a first for the region, there would be no structural issues related to its use./PN
