ILOILO CITY – At least P250 million is needed to repair the substandard Ungka Flyover that straddles between Iloilo City and Pavia town, Iloilo province.
THE substandard Ungka Flyover that straddles between Iloilo City and Pavia town, Iloilo province. (Tara Yap)
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This was revealed by Engr. Adam Abinales of the third-party consultancy firm hired by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to conduct an independent probe as the flyover remained closed to vehicular traffic since September 2022.
Abinales presented his findings on Monday, May 15, to the Infrastructure Development Committee meeting of the Regional Development Council (RDC)-6 chaired by Mayor Jerry Treñas here.
Also present were Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. and Mayor Luigi Gorriceta of Pavia.
According to the results of the tests, Abinales said that one of the bored piles or the foundations of the flyover actually stands on liquefiable soil that is very hazardous, especially during an earthquake.
Abinales urged the replacement of the bored piles in three separate sections of the P680-million flyover that was one of the last legacy projects pushed by former Ilonggo Sen. Franklin Drilon.
During the meeting, DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo said that the DPWH still does not know if they can get funding for the repair of the Ungka Flyover for fiscal year 2023.
The closure of the flyover has caused massive daily traffic. It was opened in June 2022 and the DPWH-6 had to close the structure due to safety issues.