Commuters, mostly students and workers, were forced to walk from the town of Pavia to Iloilo City to avoid from getting stuck in the horrible traffic on Monday morning, Feb. 6.
They turned the defective Ungka Flyover, as seen in photos and videos uploaded on social media, into a pedestrian overpass.
The P680-million flyover, which was built supposedly to ease traffic congestion in the area, was closed to traffic in September last year after it was found to have defects.
The national government-funded project was implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in 2019. The construction was carried out by International Builders Corporation (IBC).
In an interview with DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan last month, he said they have yet to find the solution to the “sinking” flyover.
The Ungka Flyover was among the 11 Visayas-based projects considered by former DPWH secretary Mark Villar as accomplishments of the administration of former president Rodrigo Durterte under the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program.
“Sobrang nakakataba po ng puso na makita ang mga proyektong ito, this is a great reminder po na we are in the right direction of turning our vision into reality. High-impact projects have been made possible through Duterte’s administration, Build, Build, Build program. Kaya po patuloy lamang po akong nakaalalay sa ahensya,” Villar said in the statement in May last year.
Meanwhile, the widened road along the flyover will be passable by Feb. 14 this year and is expected to ease the traffic flow, according to DPWH-6 regional director Nerie D. Bueno.IMT
