Iloilo governor presses DPWH on Aganan flyover

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Iloilo Governor Arthur R. Defensor Jr. has called on the Department of Public Works and Highways to provide a comprehensive status report and clear action plan for the long-delayed Aganan Flyover project in Pavia, Iloilo.

In a letter addressed to DPWH Secretary Vivencio “Vince” B. Dizon dated Sept. 29, 2025, Defensor expressed concern over the project’s prolonged suspension.

“The prolonged delay has significantly disrupted traffic flow in the area and continues to affect the daily lives and convenience of our residents,” the governor wrote.

Public reports cited in the letter state that the project started in July 2020 with an initial target completion period of 24 months.

The reports also state that the original contractor, United Technology Consolidated Partnership, allegedly committed discrepancies in assessing the foundation depth, which were disapproved by DPWH’s central office.

They further state that additional funds amounting to PHP 275–300 million may be required for design revisions and rectifications due to flawed soil testing.

DPWH Region VI reportedly returned the design to the central office for review, but funding for the needed corrective measures has yet to be fully secured.

“I trust that under your leadership, the DPWH will prioritize transparency, accountability, and swift action to complete the Aganan Flyover. The people of Pavia and Iloilo deserve no less,” Defensor told Dizon.

Copies of the letter were furnished to DPWH Region VI OIC-Regional Director Engr. Joel F. Limpengco, Iloilo 2nd District Rep. Kathryn Joyce F. Garin-Gorriceta and the Regional Development Council VI.

The Aganan Flyover is envisioned to ease traffic along the busy Pavia section of the Iloilo–Capiz Road but has remained unfinished for years.

Earlier reports indicate that the overall cost of completing the Aganan Flyover may now reach PHP 1.1 billion, as DPWH Region VI earmarks PHP 285 million in the proposed 2026 National Expenditure Program to cover critical work.

DPWH-6 officials have said that once funding is appropriated, jet grouting, foundation strengthening and associated structural work can resume.

They projected that if procurement begins early in 2026, full completion could be targeted by late 2026, although some scenarios extend work to the first quarter of 2027.

To date, the flyover’s reported completion rate is around 81 percent.

DPWH is the national government agency responsible for planning, design, construction and maintenance of infrastructure, including roads, bridges and flood-control systems, and large projects often require multi-year appropriations and technical redesigns when subsurface conditions differ from initial investigations.