DPWH orders repairs after Buhang Flyover damage

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Just two years after opening, visible cracks and falling debris have been reported on the PHP 315 million Buhang Flyover in Jaro, Iloilo, prompting the Department of Public Works and Highways to order immediate repairs.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon inspected the flyover on Monday, Jan. 19, and directed the project contractor, F. Gurrea Construction Inc., to carry out repairs at no cost to the government.

“Clearly, there is a problem, so they need to fix it at no cost to the government,” Dizon said after a phone call with Felvin L. Gurrea, the contractor’s vice president for construction.

Dizon said the contractor committed to repairing the defects after the Dinagyang Festival this week, although no specific timeline was provided for completing the work.

He said the contractor was also instructed to ensure that all corrective measures are long-term and will prevent similar issues from recurring.

The DPWH chief described portions of the flyover as “obviously substandard,” citing visible cracks in several sections where debris had fallen.

“Safety is a major concern. I assure you that I will look into this personally,” Dizon said.

Dizon also ordered a comprehensive structural assessment of the entire flyover to ensure it remains safe for public use.

He said the assessment findings will be reviewed to help prevent similar defects in future infrastructure projects.

The DPWH said it does not plan to close the flyover for now, noting that a closure would cause significant traffic congestion in the area.

The Buhang Flyover was built to ease traffic along Circumferential Road 1 at the Iloilo–Capiz Road intersection.

Construction of the flyover began in 2019, and it opened to the public in May 2023.