The tragicomedy called Ungka Flyover

The saga of the Ungka Flyover in Iloilo City reads like a tragicomedy. Hailed as a solution to chronic traffic congestion, the P680 million project has instead morphed into a symbol of inconvenience, wasted resources, and potential corruption.

We can’t help but question: could this flyover represent more than just an engineering blunder?

Let’s start with the inconvenience. Opened amidst fanfare in September 2022, the flyover was immediately plagued by concerns. Motorists reported a “wavy” sensation, sparking fears of structural issues. Their apprehensions were tragically validated mere weeks later when the discovery of sinking piers forced a complete closure. This left commuters facing the very gridlock the project aimed to solve, and even worse, with a hefty repair bill of P250 million hanging over their heads.

The financial aspect paints an even bleaker picture. Questions abound regarding the project’s planning and execution. Why were potential soil issues not thoroughly addressed beforehand? Did proper oversight mechanisms fail, allowing for subpar construction practices? Was transparency maintained throughout the bidding and building process? The lack of clear answers fuels public suspicion, particularly given the reports of a third-party consultant raising concerns about structural integrity well before the closure.

This is where the narrative takes a turn towards corruption. While investigations are ongoing, the mere possibility of mismanagement of public funds cannot be ignored. The Ungka Flyover stands as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences when personal gain takes precedence over public good. It erodes trust in institutions, deepens economic inequality, and ultimately, hurts the very people it was intended to help – the Filipino taxpayers and commuters.

It’s crucial to remember that the Ungka Flyover is not an isolated incident. It reflects a wider systemic issue plaguing infrastructure projects in the Philippines. We must demand transparency, accountability, and stricter enforcement of regulations. Only then can we begin to dismantle the systems that enable such projects to become monuments to inconvenience and potential corruption.

The Ungka Flyover serves as a cautionary tale. It’s a call to action for policymakers, engineers, and citizens alike. We must learn from its shortcomings and strive for a future where infrastructure projects are not just efficient and well-built, but also symbols of progress, built with integrity and a genuine commitment to serving the Filipino people.