The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-6) encouraged the public to “move forward” from the Ungka flyover fiasco.
Instead of identifying those responsible for the defective flyover, DPWH-6 director Sonny Boy Oropel said they focus on fixing the defective flyover.
Based on the geotechnical investigation of the DPWH third-party consultant, all 16 piers of the four-lane flyover suffered vertical displacement.
“Ang akon lang ya is to move forward kon ano pwede naton mabulig para magamit na naton in full capacity ang Ungka flyover,” he said in a press conference.
The flyover, which is currently undergoing repairs, is targeted to be fully operational by December this year.
“The DPWH is not looking for any…wala kita nagapangita sang accountable person. Kay sa nasiling ko na, in the first place, the people in the regional office before my assumption just only implement projects according to plans,” Oropel stressed.
The construction of the controversial flyover was completed in August 2022 when the DPWH-6 was still headed by Tiburcio DL Canlas as regional director. The following month, Canlas was succeeded by Nerie Bueno. Oropel was appointed to the post in 2023, replacing Bueno.
From its original budget of P680 million, the cost of 453.7-meter flyover ballooned to nearly P1 billion due to repairs.
The flyover straddles between Jaro district in Iloilo City and Pavia town in Iloilo province.IMT
