‘NOT IBC’S FAULT’: DPWH: Leakage in MPIW’s pipeline in Ungka flyover due to jet grouting

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor and Mariela Angella Oladive

The International Builders Corporation (IBC) should not be blamed for the leakage in Metro Pacific Iloilo Water’s (MPIW) pipeline near the Ungka Flyover, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways Western Visayas (DPWH-6).

In a statement on Thursday, October 31, DPWH-6 clarified that the observed leakage likely resulted from soil disturbance caused by jet grouting activities undertaken as part of the flyover’s rectification work.

The agency pointed out that ongoing repairs likely impacted the “natural wear and age of MPIW’s pipeline system.”

“This soil disturbance, though within expected limits, may have increased pressure on older and more vulnerable pipeline sections,” DPWH-6 added.

IBC, the original contractor for the Ungka Flyover, is currently conducting the infrastructure’s second phase of repairs.

Similar to the first phase, Phase 2 will also involve jet grouting for the remaining piers, the section of abutment leading to the airport, and the entire abutment facing Iloilo City.

DPWH-6 emphasized that borehole drilling and jet grouting activities were conducted with due diligence, citing a preliminary seismic survey that prompted the agency to relocate boreholes to avoid MPIW’s utilities near the flyover.

“The pipeline leakage was not caused by contractor damage, as previously stated by MPIW,” DPWH-6 added.

However, this statement contradicts MPIW’s October 30 claim, which blamed IBC for damaging its 600-millimeter transmission line.

On October 31, MPIW engineering division head Engr. Jerry Gelluirgan told the Daily Guardian that they “cannot categorically say” construction activities caused the leak near the flyover, walking back from their initial claim that the leak was due to IBC.

Gelluirgan acknowledged that the leakage may partly be due to their old and deteriorating pipeline.

Backfilling Halted

DPWH-6 said MPIW’s backfilling work has been halted because backfilling activities were “not performed according to the required standards and lacked proper compaction.”

This statement contradicts MPIW’s announcement that it completed the backfilling and compaction work at 9:20 p.m. on October 30.

MPIW conducted emergency leak repairs in the area on October 18, which required them to excavate the damaged site.

Images of the uncovered hole beneath the flyover have since circulated, prompting public concerns about using the infrastructure.

“After the repairs, the area was backfilled by the contractor,” MPIW stated.

However, the firm said backfilling materials subsided due to continuous rain.

DPWH-6 also noted that a shortage of backfilling materials left part of the hole uncovered.

“DPWH-6 promptly contacted MPIW to address this issue, but a delay in MPIW’s response prevented immediate action,” the agency added.