ILOILO City – The House of Representatives’ legislative inquiry could be the nudge needed for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to address with urgency the structural issues of the P680-million Ungka flyover in Barangay Ungka II, Pavia.
“I am really hoping it (DPWH) will start to move. Ari di si DPWH regional director (Sanny Boy) Oropel sang nagligad nga semana. I told him our people demand nga mahulag na whatever way,” said Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.
The Ungka flyover was closed to traffic on Sept. 16, 2022 a mere two weeks after it was fully opened on Sept. 5 due to vertical displacement. It was found to be “sinking”.
Nearly a year after the flyover’s closure, DPWH has yet to come up with concrete solutions.
“Kon bakbakon na, you have to come up with a decision… But they have to decide and do something about it soon. Ako ya gahulat na gid ako nga ma-resolve ina,” said Treñas, the chairman of the Infrastructure Development Committee of the Regional Development Council.
Meanwhile, Treñas said the city hall may be used for the next flyover legislative inquiry.
“Kun gusto nila diri sa city hall, may gamay kita nga lugar dira, pwede man,” he said.
The legislative inquiry on the Ungka flyover kicked off on Aug. 15 at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. It was headed by Surigao del Sur 1st District’s Rep. Romeo Momo, chair of the Committee on Public Works and Highways.
Kabataan party-list’s Rep. Raoul Danniel A. Manuel, Gabriela Women’s Rep. Arlene D. Brosas and Act Teachers’ Rep. France L. Castro filed House Resolution No. 721 for the inquiry on Jan. 26. They belonged to the so-called Makabayan (Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan) bloc in the Lower House.
With the DPWH central office and DPWH-6’s failure to produce the result of the geotechnical investigation on the flyover before the House committee, another inquiry will be held, said Momo.
He also wanted more resource persons to show up, including the flyover contractor, International Builders Corporation.
No date has been set yet for the next legislative inquiry./PN
