Controversial Iloilo flyover contractor bags rectification contract 

STILL OUT OF COMMISSION The 453.7-meter Ungka flyover, which straddles Iloilo City and the town of Pavia and costs P680 million to build, opened for only four months, from June to September 2022, after the structure was observed to be “sinking.” This photo was taken on April 25, 2022, before the flyover was opened to motorists. —DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS-WESTERN VISAYAS PHOTO

ILOILO CITY — The second phase of the rectification of a controversial flyover, which sits between Iloilo City and neighboring Pavia town in Iloilo, has been awarded to its original contractor because it is deemed “the most qualified.”

Sanny Boy Oropel, Department of Public Works and Highways in Western Visayas (DPWH-6) director, said on Saturday that the P193-million contract was awarded to the International Builders Corporation (IBC), which previously secured the contract for engineering works for the P680-million flyover.

Oropel said IBC was the “most qualified,” emphasizing that the contractor only implemented the design.

“In the many structures that [IBC] has done, we have not seen any problems. The problem was (with) the plans, [not with] the people under the regional office implementing the project,” the regional director said.

“We are very confident and give the chance to the Regional Office 6. We wouldn’t allow our name to be tarnished just because of this Ungka Flyover,” he added.

The 1,500-meter Ungka flyover opened on June 30, 2022, and became fully operational by September of that year only to be closed down a few days later.

It turned out that the flyover had structural defects that caused it to “sink” and flood when it rained.

The DPWH tapped Pasig City-based engineering consultancy firm Abinales Associates Engineers + Consultants to look into the structural design of the flyover, which served as the basis for its rectification work.

Phase 1 of rectification, worth P95.95 million, was awarded to a Davao City-based firm. The work began in January but extended beyond its 120-day contract duration.

It covered the jet grouting of Piers 4, 5, and 6 of the flyover.

The second phase involved intensive jet grouting on the remaining piers, removal of the wearing surface and application of Geofoam System to correct the vertical profile of the flyover design grade, installation of metal railings and claddings, and repair of damaged pavement under the flyover.

The contract for the second phase was initially scheduled to run for 120 calendar days but was shortened to 90, according to Bid Bulletin No. 1 dated Sept. 16.

Oropel said they aim to fully reopen the Ungka Flyover by Dec. 25 this year in time for Christmas Day and the Dinagyang Festival in January 2025.