COST SOARS TO P1.1-B: DPWH-6 earmarks P285-M for Aganan Flyover; completion eyed in late 2026

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor 

The cost of the embattled Aganan Flyover in Pavia, Iloilo, will balloon to PHP 1.1 billion, with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) proposing a budget of PHP 285 million to rectify and complete the infrastructure, which has been suspended since October 2022.

DPWH-6 Assistant Regional Director Jose Al Fruto said the proposed allocation has already been included in the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP).

Fruto, however, clarified that the funding is not yet certain since the NEP will still undergo deliberations in Congress before final enactment and implementation.

“The uncertainties are there. We are really appealing that since it is in the NEP, it will not be removed. We cannot assure how to secure that amount,” he said on Monday, September 29.

Fruto defended the additional budget, noting that the original project cost fell short because the proper pier depths were not considered in the original design submitted by the United Technology Consolidated Partnership (UTCP).

He explained that the original plan of UTCP, commissioned by the Bureau of Design of DPWH, provided shallow depth for the piers, hence the need for extra funding to extend them into deeper soil layers to ensure stability.

He explained that the original design provided for shallow piers, hence the need for additional funding to extend them to deeper soil layers and ensure stability.

The existing bored piles measure only 20 to 30 meters deep, based on UTCP’s design. This is a discrepancy from the recommended depth of 44 to 50 meters, as confirmed in the soil confirmatory tests by DPWH-6 and third-party consultant firm Abinales Associates Engineers + Consultants.

Fruto said the two differing geotechnical study results leave a shortfall of roughly 14 to 20 meters for most of the piers.

“This amount only substantiates and validates the need that our piers should have reached 44–50 meters […] It will not go somewhere as if this is an additional fund to complete the flyover. We have to emphasize this is the amount that should have been allocated since the start,” he argued.

Aside from the changes in the pier depths, among the recommendations of the third-party consultant is to redesign the middle section from Pier 6 to Pier 7.

Originally designed as a single 50-meter span with a concrete box girder, it will be revised to a two-span pre-stressed girder of 26 and 24 meters, with an additional bored pile to support the new layout.

Fruto said the revised design has been submitted to the DPWH Bureau of Design and is awaiting approval.

RACING TO COMPLETE

If the budget is approved, Fruto said funds will likely be released in February or March 2026.

The DPWH-6 targets completion of the additional foundation works, including civil works, by late 2026 or early 2027.

“That is our target schedule. But that will really be hinged or will be very, very dependent on the funding that we have requested,” he said.

It can be noted that the initial budget of PHP 802 million was not fully utilized. Approximately PHP 651.5 million has been spent, including the intense jet grouting activities at Piers 6 and 7.

This leaves DPWH-6 with a remaining budget of at least PHP 150 million to continue jet grouting on other piers.

Jet grouting, also applied in the nearby Ungka Flyover, involves strengthening the bored pile foundations by creating cemented, solidified columns around the piles, thereby improving their support capacity.

“We cannot continue unless we complete the additional foundation works,” Fruto emphasized.

He added that the casting of girders for Piers 6 and 7, which are located at the intersection of Felix Gorriceta Avenue, will be completed just in time for the conclusion of the jet grouting at Pier 8.

The construction of the Aganan Flyover began in November 2019, with an original target completion date of June 2023. However, the project was suspended in October 2022 when it had already reached 81.62% accomplishment.

The suspension stemmed from issues at the Ungka Flyover, which suffered vertical displacement due to insufficient bored pile length, and considering that both flyovers are located along the same road and were designed by the same consultant.