Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) assured that the defective Ungka Flyover will be fully operational by early next year.
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan was in Iloilo on Friday, Jan. 13, to inspect the controversial P680-million flyover.
“Maligayang pagdiriwang ng ating Dinagyang. Unfortunately po, hindi po nakaabot itong Ungka Flyover but sisiguruhin namin na sa susunod po na Dinagyang magagamit na po ito,” he said in a media interview.
Bonoan rejected the recommendation made by DPWH-6 to reopen the four-lane flyover to light vehicles during the celebration of this year’s Dinagyang Festival.
“We will not open it until we know it’s safe,” he said
According to the secretary, the result of the load test conducted on Thursday night, Jan.12, showed that there were still “small movements” on the structure’s piers 4, 5 and 6.
Bonoan stressed that this and other issues must have to be resolved first before they allow the reopening of the flyover.
The structure, situated between Iloilo City and Pavia town, was closed in September last year for repairs.
Bonoan said the third-party consultant they tapped has already conducted an initial geotechnical investigation relative to the vertical displacement discovered in the flyover.
However, he admitted that they have yet to come up with the concrete and final solution.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, meanwhile, said he understands the decision to keep the flyover closed to motorists.
“Indi ta man pagpiliton ang DPWH kay safety sang tawo ang at stake,” he told reporters.
“Ang akon lang to ya ginpangayo lang gid nga very important sa akon nga obrahon 24 hours ang magtimbang nga dalan sa dalum because kon maobra ina kag matapos na the earliest possible time, ang inconvenience sa tawo madula man,” he added.IMT
