Four, not two, flyovers for Metro Iloilo

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

Contrary to previous pronouncements that two flyovers will be built at Mandurriao, Iloilo City and Pavia, Iloilo, Public Safety Transportation and Management Office (PSTMO) head Jeck Conlu said two additional flyovers will be constructed in Mandurriao and Jaro districts.

In sum, four flyovers are awaiting construction in the Metro Iloilo Guimaras Economic and Development Council (MIGEDC) area.

Aside from the Ungka II and Aganan flyovers, Conlu said two pre-fabricated flyovers will also be constructed at the intersection of Brgy. Buhang, Jaro district and another at the intersection of Circumferential Road 1 in Brgy. Hibao-an, Mandurriao district.

“Madayon na gid ang construction sang apat ka flyovers. Duha dira, ang Ungka II and Aganan concrete so medyo malawig-lawig kag ang duha dira sa may Buhang kag Hibao-an, pre-fabricated like dira bila sa may Gen. Luna, City Proper district,” he said in a phone interview on Thursday.

Senator Franklin Drilon recently announced that the Ungka II and Aganan flyovers will be constructed at the intersection of Sen. Benigno Avenue and the Pres. Corazon Aquino Avenue; and the junction of Sen. Benigno Avenue and Felix Gorriceta Jr. Avenue in Pavia, Iloilo.

With a corresponding budget of P750 million, Drilon said the two flyovers will have four lanes with lengths ranging from 220 to 260 meters.

Conlu said that the four flyovers will be fully funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

While biddings are not yet finished, Conlu said they expect that construction of the Ungka II flyover will start within December and all the other three flyovers will follow.

“After ma-bidding madasig lang na and ma-issue notice to proceed so estimated na nga makahatag notice to proceed within the year and as scheduled possibly last week or first week of December basi masugod na ang Ungka,” he said.

As part of their preparation and as the chairman of the Task Force for MIGED-C, Conlu said they are now set to come up with the crafting of the transportation and rerouting plan on the affected areas.

“Gapreparar ko sang transportation plan para sa upcoming construction sang mga flyovers. Subong may meeting, upod ang MIGED-C members kay maubra na kami mga alternate routes nga alagyan sang mga private vehicles,” he said.

According to Conlu, they will open alternate routes near the affected areas as traffic congestion is likely to happen once the construction rolls out.

“Ginapasurvey na namon, iban ginapalocate subong ang tanan nga alternate routes nga ginatan-aw naton pagabuksan kay may mga upcoming events ta pa like December and Dinagyang, kinanglan maplastar gid na namon ang traffic sa area,” he said.

Conlu added that the construction of the four flyovers will help improve the traffic situation and mobility in the city and the rest of MIGEDC area.

“Dako ang impact sa aton because for example ang ina nga dalan sa may Ungka II flyover, major intersections naga-connect sa aton halin sa airport in and out pakadto sa city kag dira gina-agyan man sang truckers sa Iloilo para madeliver sang goods,” he noted.