A Davao City councilor called for an urgent and formal inquiry into the long-delayed Ma-a Flyover Project at Diversion Road, citing public frustration over the lack of progress and transparency.

Councilor Jessica Bonguyan, head of the Committee on Public Works and Highways, in a privilege speech at the 21st City Council Session on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 5, at the Sangguniang Panlungsod, said that the unfinished flyover causes daily stress for Davaoeños, leading to heavy traffic and prolonged delays for people going to work, school, and other essential places.

“This project, which was meant to be a solution, has now become a source of daily stress and frustration for our community,” Bonguyan said, referring to a large tarpaulin placed at the construction site.

She said the people’s frustration reached a boiling point last weekend and posted a tarp, which blamed the project’s delay on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

While Bonguyan noted that the accuracy of the claim remains in question, she said the sign reflects the growing public fatigue and distrust over the project’s prolonged timeline.

“People are tired of the gridlock, the silence, and waiting for a project that seems to have no end in sight. It is not just a construction delay; it’s a public grievance. It demands truth, transparency, and action,” she said.

The Department of Public Works and Highways, in a statement, said that the alleged political issues involving the administration are misleading.

It also confirmed that the project has been fully funded since 2022 and that all funds necessary for its completion have already been released.

According to the agency, civil works are 82.5 percent complete.

DPWH noted that only minor “road right-of-way” issues remain, including acquiring four properties with existing mortgage lien complications. These are now under active coordination with the respective mortgagee banks.

It said the Davao Light and Power Co. was set to relocate electric poles along the Monteritz side on Aug. 3, while coordination with telecommunications providers to relocate their poles is ongoing.

“We assure the public that the Maa-Magtuod Flyover Project remains a priority, and the Office continues to work toward its completion,” the DPWH said, encouraging the public to be vigilant against misinformation.

Bonguyan acknowledged the statement of the DPWH, as it highlights the critical need for clear communication on public projects. “When information is scarce, misinformation and frustration quickly fill the void.”

The councilor urged the City Council to convene as a Committee of the Whole to formally inquire into the project’s status. She emphasized that the goal is not to blame anyone, but to improve coordination, provide regular updates, and ensure the project is finished quickly and safely.

As chairperson of the Committee on Public Works and Highways, Bonguyan formally invited the DPWH, contractors, and other involved agencies to join the council’s regular session on Tuesday, Aug. 12.

“The people of Davao deserve clear roads and clear answers, and we must show them that their government is listening,” Bonguyan said.

The viral tarpaulin at the Maa flyover construction site, which claimed political reasons for project delays, is no longer visible as of Monday afternoon, Aug. 4.