Ungka Flyover gantry hit for fourth time by truck

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The overhead gantry or vertical clearance marker of the controversial Ungka Flyover was once again knocked down, this time by a container van on Wednesday morning, Sept. 18.

The incident damaged the gantry at the flyover’s entrance near Christ the King Memorial Park in  Jaro, Iloilo City after the van struck the steel post, causing it to bend and the signage to fall while en route to Pavia.

Portions of the post’s concrete base were also torn off, but no injuries were reported.

The vertical clearance marker and its damaged parts were removed as of Wednesday afternoon.

Traffic and Transportation Management Office head Uldarico Garbanzos said the enforcer on duty would be asked to explain why the vehicle was able to pass through despite restrictions on the flyover’s usage.

Police authorities were the first to respond to the accident, Garbanzos said.

He added that investigators are studying possible charges of reckless imprudence resulting in damage to government property.

The Department of Public Works and Highways Western Visayas (DPWH-6) has restricted the flyover to vehicles with a maximum of two axles, while those with more than three axles, including trucks, tractors and trailers, are strictly prohibited.

Garbanzos said motorcycles are also restricted to prevent speeding incidents and other safety risks.

He noted that DPWH-6 has yet to formally turn over the structure to either Iloilo City or the town of Pavia.

This marks the fourth time the PHP 975 million flyover’s gantry has been hit since installation.

A modernized bus first struck it in December last year.

In April, a modern jeepney knocked it down, prompting a PHP 100,000 fine on the operator.

Two days later, a wing van damaged the newly repaired gantry.

The gantry, with a vertical clearance of 2.3 meters, was installed in September 2023 after DPWH-6 announced the flyover’s reopening.