By Mariela Angella Oladive
Sangguniang Bayan Member Roy Gorriceta of Pavia, Iloilo called out the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) during a joint committee hearing on Tuesday, December 17, over delays and safety issues involving the Ungka Flyover repair.
Frustrated by the slow progress and the repeated absences of DPWH 6 Director Sanny Boy Oropel, Gorriceta urged the agency to act swiftly, citing the flyover’s unresolved safety hazards.
“All the blame is on us, not you. We’re tired of answering questions. It’s better for you to do and finish your job,” he said, highlighting the urgency of completing repairs to the nearly PHP 1 billion structure, which has faced structural issues since its full opening in September 2022.
Oropel’s absence from the hearing and the previous day’s Sangguniang Bayan Question Hour drew further ire from local officials.
Gorriceta called the lack of response “disrespectful” to the local government unit and the public.
“Yesterday, we were left waiting, with no response. Let’s be realistic, you have your responsibility, and we have ours. The last resort I can take is to accuse you of negligence, but should we prioritize accusations over solutions? My question has always been: What is the solution? And there seems to be no answer,” he said.
“This is indeed a serious problem, but it’s not about pointing fingers. We need a solution. When will it be done, and will it be done correctly? If you start it wrong, you’ll finish it wrong. If you start it right, you’ll finish it right—simple as that,” Gorriceta added.
The committee convened to address safety concerns following multiple incidents involving falling debris from the flyover during repairs.
Police officer Frank Sanchez recounted a December 7 incident when a piece of cement debris fell on his helmet as he rode his motorcycle under the flyover.
The impact damaged his helmet and caused shoulder pain, prompting him to file a police blotter after workers on-site failed to provide answers.
“I have no intention of settling this matter just for myself. As a police officer, this is a small issue to me, but I am here for the sake of the riding public. What angers me is the insinuation that I am lying. If you can pay off other officers, not me,” Sanchez said.
He clarified he harbored no ill will toward DPWH staff and had no reason to fabricate his account or seek compensation. He also expressed gratitude to Police Regional Office 6 Director Brigadier General Jack Wanky for supporting his attendance at the hearing.
Board Member Rolando Distura praised Sanchez for raising valid safety concerns and criticized the current safety measures, particularly the use of tarpaulins.
Distura likened them to “curtains fluttering in the wind” that fail to prevent debris from falling and create dust hazards.
“I suggest we improve it to avoid similar incidents,” he said, recommending scaffolding, similar to those used in private projects, to contain debris effectively.
Ex-Officio Board Member Ramon Sullano also questioned the DPWH’s inspection of the safety nets installed by the contractor, calling the current setup inadequate for protecting motorists and pedestrians.
Engr. Ormel Santos, DPWH-6 Construction Division Chief, attended the hearing alongside two other engineers in place of Oropel.
Santos explained that they received the hearing invitation late and could not respond due to prior commitments. However, records showed the letter was received on December 12.
Santos claimed that Sanchez’s incident was not related to repair work but to cleaning activities under the flyover.
Meanwhile, Maximo Pareja, a representative of Iloilo Builders Corp. (IBC), the contractor handling repairs, admitted they were unaware of incidents involving falling debris until they heard about them from local news reports.
Pareja assured the public that their team would address safety concerns by installing barriers to prevent further accidents.
The DPWH had previously promised to reopen the flyover by December 25, branding it as a “Christmas gift.”
However, incidents such as falling debris damaging a taxi’s roof and windshield on November 27 prompted the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to pass a resolution urging the DPWH regional director to investigate and take immediate action.
Gorriceta stressed that while accountability is necessary, finding effective solutions must take precedence for the safety of motorists and the public.
