Structures of disappointment

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

In an age where artificial intelligence and other ungodly, cutting-edge technologies promise unprecedented precision and efficiency, the Ungka and Aganan Flyovers stand as disheartening counterpoints—a testament to when human error, oversight, or perhaps negligence fails to match the promise of modern engineering.

The legacy project of former Senator Franklin Drilon, intended as a symbol of progress and development for Iloilo and its people, now conjures a sense of disappointment, or supreme insult for some.

These structures were meant to be modern solutions to the growing demands of urbanization and transportation. Instead, they stand as symbols of inefficiency and unmet expectations, with costs ballooning to over P1.790 billion, as we estimated. The slow pace of rectification works and the apparent unresponsiveness of the Department of Public Works and Highways-Western Visayas (DPWH-WV) only amplify the public’s dismay.

Pavia town councilor Jose Ma. Trimañez’s frustration is palpable and justified—reflective of the deeper disquiet among the Ilonggos. When the councilor speaks of the “perversion” that these flyovers have become, it’s not just about the structures themselves but also about the perversion of trust, of public funds, and of the promise to a community that looked forward to progress.

Trimañez’s vocal criticisms of the DPWH’s “hardheadedness” and the lack of transparency in the rectification process mirror the broader sentiment of disenfranchisement felt by the community. The issues with these flyovers transcend mere inconvenience; they represent a deeper systemic failure that contrasts sharply with the potential efficiency gains promised by contemporary “ungodly technologies.”

The troubles plaguing the flyovers—delays in construction, fears of sinking foundations, and the subsequent shift from concrete to steel girders—indicate a series of miscalculations by the designer United Technologies Consolidated Partnership (UTCP), the implementor Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the contractor International Builders Corp (IBC). It begs the question of how such fundamental errors were not foreseen or mitigated in a world where we have the capabilities to explore Mars.

The shift from concrete to steel girders in the amended design hints at a late realization of foundational miscalculations. Such fundamental errors in design and implementation call into question the due diligence and foresight of the involved parties.

The case exemplifies a broader issue within certain facets of government and contracted entities—complacency and a disconnect from the innovative spirit that drives the current era of technology. Trimañez’s grievances against DPWH’s indifference echo a scenario where bureaucratic inertia and a lack of accountability prevail over dynamic governance and operational transparency.

His remarks, and indeed the entire scenario, speak volumes about the challenges local governments face when interacting with national bodies. The “deaf treatment” of DPWH to the town council’s calls is not just a communication breakdown; it is a failure in civic engagement that undermines the very essence of responsible governance.

While the comparison to AI and high technology may seem incongruous at first glance, it underlines the stark contrast between what is possible and what is delivered. In a world where technology is used to optimize everything from traffic flows to medical diagnoses, it’s almost inconceivable that the application of the same level of precision and expertise could not be extended to the construction of two flyovers.

The funds allocated for retrofitting, as Trimañez poignantly observes, could have been used for healthcare and the well-being of the citizens—needs that are immediate and tangible. It highlights a misallocation of resources that has not only economic but also moral implications.

Let us not mince words; these flyovers are more than mere structures. They have become monuments to mismanagement. To consider the P200 million earmarked for retrofitting that could have been used for health centers and medicines adds insult to injury. It’s a painful reminder that financial oversights have real-world consequences, diverting critical resources from those in dire need.

The scenario also lays bare the challenge of integrating advanced technologies and complex engineering projects in a landscape that may lack adequate oversight and expertise. It’s a stark reminder that high-tech solutions are only as effective as the human and systemic foundations they are built upon.

The Ungka-Aganan flyovers fiasco should serve as a call for rigorous oversight, for the integration of technological advancements into public works, and for a renewed commitment to accountability. While it is imperative to address these infrastructural blunders without crossing into libel or slander, it is equally important to ensure that the lessons learned are not merely archived but actively implemented to prevent future fiascos.

These flyovers, rather than being mere overpasses, now bridge a gap between expectation and reality, between the promise of modernity and the gravity of grounded challenges. For the citizens of Iloilo and the watching nation, they have become less about traffic flow and more about the flow of questions demanding answers, accountability, and action.