By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan and Rjay Zuriaga Castor
Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW), the water utility serving Iloilo’s metropolitan area, has begun work on its pipelines within the premises of the Ungka Flyover.
The project is set to be completed by January 15, ahead of the flyover’s scheduled turnover on January 22, 2025.
MPIW’s government and stakeholder relations consultant, Jerry Guillergan, said work started on January 7 and involves decommissioning century-old cast-iron pipes under the flyover.
Only portions of the pipeline directly under the structure will be permanently removed, with the remaining sections connected to a bypass line linked to a new 600-millimeter line.
“The line under the flyover was installed in 1926. It’s a cast-iron pipe that is highly susceptible to leaks due to its age,” Guillergan said in a phone interview.
“We previously applied temporary fixes whenever leaks occurred, but before 2024 ended, we coordinated with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to agree on a permanent solution to decommission the line beneath the flyover,” he added.
Long-Term and Immediate Actions
In a January 6 letter to DPWH-Western Visayas regional director Sanny Boy Oropel and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, MPIW assured adherence to its timeline.
This followed DPWH and the Iloilo City government’s call for expedited action on persistent pipe leaks, which have delayed rectification works on the flyover.
MPIW Chief Operating Officer Angelo David Berba highlighted that pipes in the area, dating back to the 1970s, are particularly vulnerable to vibrations and environmental pressure.
“MPIW will replace the 50-year-old pipes with a bypass line as part of our hydraulic system pipe replacement project, which began in August last year. This project involves replacing a 14.97-kilometer stretch of pipes from Barangay Ungka to Jaro Plaza,” Berba explained.
The bypass line, a temporary measure to reroute water flow during maintenance, is expected to be completed within three days of its January 15 start.
MPIW also reduced water pressure in the area to facilitate DPWH’s rectification work, including jet grouting activities.
Joint Efforts and Future Plans
A joint inspection by MPIW and DPWH allowed both parties to assess the situation and devise a sustainable plan that considers the structural sensitivity of the flyover and the location of the pipes.
While the bypass line addresses immediate concerns, Berba emphasized the need for a long-term upgrade to the water pipeline system.
“MPIW is preparing for an extensive repair and upgrade of the existing pipeline system to ensure its durability and protect the structural integrity of the Ungka Flyover,” he said.
However, Berba noted that implementing a long-term solution will require a more substantial timeline due to the complexity of the work involved.
The DPWH plans to open the flyover’s access roads on January 22 following the completion of the four-lane structure on December 23, 2024.
