BE PATIENT: Traffic jams in Ungka II are temporary – PSTMO

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

The start of the construction of the P480-million Ungka II flyover in Pavia, Iloilo has caused traffic jams in the area.

During rush hours, motorists and drivers bound for Iloilo City (vice versa) who pass by the area endure an additional 40 minutes to an hour on the road.

But this is temporary and part of the “birthing pains” that the riding public and motorists have to endure, Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) reiterated on Thursday.

PSTMO Chief Jeck Conlu said traffic congestion in Ungka II in Pavia, Iloilo has been a problem even before the construction of the flyover.

“Ang Ungka Flyover given nga may impact gid na, kay wala pa gid construction dira makita naton ang congestion but if you observe. While we understand the sentiments of the motorists, this is the long-term plan, agwantahun anay naton ang traffic congestion like other cities,” he said in an interview on Thursday.

The 453.70-meter Ungka II flyover located at the junction of Sen. Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Avenue and Iloilo Circumferential Road is the first of the four flyovers that will rise in the Metro Iloilo area by 2021.

Ungka II flyover will be completed in 18 months.

The second project is the P560-million Aganan flyover at the junction of Sen. Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Avenue and Felix Gorriceta Jr. Avenue, also in Pavia.

The 24-month construction of the Aganan flyover will also start between late February and early March, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Conlu said the slow-moving traffic in the Ungka II area is temporary as they aim to reduce the 40- to 60-minute traffic jams in the area after a month of adjustment.

“May period of adjustment mga isa ka bulan. After sang period of adjustment, hopefully, ma-reduce naton ang traffic congestion sa area,” he said.

The PSTMO chief said they are trying their best to mitigate the traffic in the construction area through the rerouting of private vehicles and other strategies.

“Private vehicles ang gina-reroute kay sila gid ang flexible pero ginapangitaan namon strategy nga mabutong kon aga ang incoming vehicles kesa sa outgoing vehicles from the city kag pagkahapon baliskadon naton, mas butungon naton ang outgoing compared sa incoming,” he added.

For those who have school and work, Conlu said they should leave early and prepare for the 40-60 minutes of additional travel time in Ungka II.

He also advised motorists and the public to avoid traveling during rush hours, from 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Motorists are also advised to use alternate routes such as the Iloilo-Sta. Barbara road, and the Oton-San Miguel-Sta. Barbara road instead of passing through the construction area.

“Balon sang malaba nga pasensya, dal-on gid na naton kay kon mataas ang ulo naton sa dalon mas madugang na sa problema sang congestion amo na gapangayo gd kami pagintindi and kooperasyon sa ila,” Conlu said.