‘IT’S STILL SINKING’: Controversial flyover to reopen in time for Dinagyang… 2024

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By Joseph B.A. Marzan

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan on Friday was noncommittal as to when the P680-million Ungka Flyover will reopen, or what will happen to it, as their investigations into the “sinking” flyover continue.

Bonoan went to Iloilo to personally assess the flyover, which has garnered national attention in the past few months because of its “vertical displacement” and its effect on traffic going to and from the city.

He said that it was “still too early to say” if the new flyover could be reopened, citing the need for more tests to be done, including a deeper look into the displacements or movement of other sections underneath the flyover.

This was in addition to a controlled traffic loading test that DPWH already conducted prior to Bonoan’s visit yesterday.

He said the flyover is still sinking, thus he will not recommend reopening the flyover anytime soon.

“I don’t recommend [reopening the Ungka Flyover] at this point in time because we did a controlled traffic loading test to see the behavior of the structure. Initially, we were still noticing [some displacements], so I would not immediately recommend anything for the time being,” the secretary said.

While he refuted Iloilo City Lone District Rep Julienne Baronda’s Facebook post on Dec 6, 2022 saying that the flyover would be reopened on the third week of January, Bonoan assured that it will reopen in time for the next edition of the Dinagyang Festival in 2024.

“I don’t think I said that. Maybe what I said was that in 3^rd week of January, I will be coming here to assess, to see the situation. […] We don’t exactly know the structural interventions that we have to do,” he said.

“Maligayang pagdiriwang ng ating Dinagyang. Unfortunately, hindi nakaabot itong Ungka Flyover pero sisiguraduhin namin na sa susunod na Dinagyang magagamit po ito.”

Bonoan confirmed that they have acquired the services of a consulting firm to assess the Ungka Flyover’s status and he asked them to expedite their geotechnical investigation.

When asked when he can make more detailed and specific pronouncements, he only responded “in a few weeks”, but declined to give a specific date or timeline.

“We are still trying to find out what the [results of the] geotechnical investigations are so that immediately we can find a way to rectify what needs to be done, so that our vehicles can pass through safely,” he said.

“In a few weeks, when I learn about the results of the investigation and of the assessments that are being made, that would be the time that I confer with the people from the Bureau of Design so that we can initiate what we can do soonest to restore the structure,” he added.

NO BLAME GAME

Bonoan said his focus is to work on an intervention on the flyover at the soonest possible time and not to point fingers at anyone who may be responsible for the mess.

“I still don’t want to talk about whoever is at fault. I just want to look into what we can do immediately. Whoever is at fault here, let’s talk about that some other time,” he said.

As to the lanes of the Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue below the flyover, Bonoan said that it was “completely safe” to pass through, citing their interventions including shoring, grouting, and steel installation works.

During the launch of a new museum in Iloilo City, Mayor Jerry Treñas expressed his concern over the Diversion Road lanes underneath, saying that while the DPWH is “welcome to take all the time they need”, they should nevertheless outline their plan in the soonest time possible.

“What I’m asking for from the DPWH is that they come up with a definite stand [as to] what should be done with the flyover. What is very important for us is that we be able to use the two underneath and finish that as soon as possible. People will be inconvenienced if those disappear as well,” Treñas said.

One of the sections of the flyover had been covered up with asphalt, just a few days after Kabataan Partylist Representative Raoul Manuel conducted an ocular inspection and told Daily Guardian that he would file a resolution to conduct a House inquiry on the structure.