FROM ‘SINKING UNGKA’ TO ‘TILTING AGANAN’: Iloilo town councilor mulls inquiry on another flyover

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

Questions over the structural integrity, design, and development of the Ungka Flyover that straddles Iloilo City and Pavia, Iloilo also raised the possibility of a probe into another national government project, the Aganan Flyover at Brgy. Mali-ao, Pavia.

Pavia town councilor Jose Maria Trimañez told Daily Guardian that he had been receiving queries from residents regarding the incline of one of the Aganan flyover’s sections.

Trimañez said that he was able to discuss the matter with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Region 6 during the Sept 28, 2022 hearing of the town council’s transportation committee, which he heads, on the Ungka flyover.

On the P560-million Aganan flyover, the committee was told that they would be updated by the DPWH-6 as soon as possible.

The town councilor described the tilting portion of the still unfinished flyover.

“If you’re coming from Brgy. Mali-ao, going to [Iloilo City], this is the third section on the right. We saw that there was a small, misaligned tilt,” Trimañez explained in a phone interview.

“We’ve already had an experience with Ungka Flyover, that’s why we are conscious as to whether or not this is safe, or is this really the design,” he added.

Trimañez said that they wish to ask the DPWH-6 if the current state of the flyover conforms with the design and other specifications, as well as assurance as to the safety of the structure for motorists and the general public.

Both the Ungka and Aganan flyovers are contracted by DPWH-6 to a local company, International Builders Corporation (IBC).

Trimañez said that they will take the opportunity during the Iloilo City council’s inquiry into the Ungka flyover, where he has been invited, to raise their concerns with both the DPWH-6 and the IBC.

“We have conducted committee hearings where we invited [IBC]. Hopefully, on Friday [October 7], the [Iloilo City council] will conduct [an inquiry] where we are invited. I hope I can ask [DPWH-6 Asst. Regional Director Jose Al Fruto] the status, the reason, and the timeline [of the Aganan and Ungka flyovers],” he said.