ILOILO CITY – The municipal council of Pavia, Iloilo province on Monday, Dec. 12, called for a House inquiry on the P680-million Ungka II flyover here, one of the last pet projects of former Sen. Franklin Drilon before he formally retired from politics this year.
A resolution was passed by the Sangguniang Bayan (Municipal Council) of Pavia town, Iloilo province on its regular session Monday, Dec. 12, seeking the investigation.
“We have all been waiting for updates and what would be done,” said Pavia Councilor Jose Maria “Pyt” Trimañez, one of the resolution’s authors.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has yet to act on the problems besetting the flyover which has been closed from vehicular traffic since Sept. 18.
“This should be looked into so we do not have the same problems in other government projects. Again, we have to remember we taxpayers deserve better,” Trimañez told Manila Bulletin in a phone interview.
The flyover that straddles Pavia town and neighboring Iloilo City was built to make travel to and from the Iloilo Airport faster and easier.
But the flyover constructed by International Builders Corp. (IBC), an Iloilo-based contractor, was only used for two-and-a-half months before it was closed when drivers and passengers questioned its structural integrity as cracks were found and there was displacement or what locals call “usmod.”
With the flyover’s closure, traffic congestion worsened especially during peak hours in the morning and early evening.
Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., Iloilo Mayor City Jerry Treñas, and Iloilo Provincial Board Member Rolly Distura have appealed to DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan to act on the matter.
The DPWH was reported to be sending a geological team from the central office in Manila to Iloilo to check the project site’s soil status but it is unclear if they have arrived.
But since there was no word from DPWH, Trimañez said that the resolution was sent to Iloilo Reps. Janette Loreto-Garin, Michael Gorriceta, Lorenz Defensor, Ferj Biron, Raul Tupas, and Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda of Iloilo City.
A copy was also forwarded to Ilonggo congressmen Jojo Ang of USWAG partylist, Lex Anthony Colada of AAMBIS-OWA partylist, and Raoul Danniel Manuel of Kabaatan partylist.