By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
Former Senator Franklin M. Drilon called on Congress to allocate funds for rectifying the long-delayed P802-million Aganan flyover project in Pavia, Iloilo.
“I will use whatever goodwill I have left to convince our friends in Congress that the Aganan flyover is worth funding. I am sure and I hope that our legislators will see that this project is a good project,” he said in an interview on Friday, January 24.
Department of Public Works and Highways-Western Visayas (DPWH-6) Director Sanny Boy Oropel confirmed that Abinales Associates Engineers + Consultants had submitted the results of their geotechnical study.
Oropel said the report was turned in on December 15, 2024, and the agency is currently reviewing it.
The investigation stemmed from discrepancies between soil test results conducted by DPWH-6 and United Technology Consolidated Partnership (UTCP) for the flyover.
UTCP’s findings indicated a foundation depth of 24 meters, while DPWH-6’s tests suggested a depth of 54 meters was needed for stability.
This significant difference prompted DPWH-6 to seek third-party intervention to ensure the flyover’s design would avoid the same issues as the nearby Ungka flyover, which experienced sinking after construction.
Oropel revealed that the consultant’s report recommended jet grouting, a ground improvement technique used to stabilize soil, similar to measures taken for the Ungka flyover.
Although P308 million of the P802-million original budget remains for the flyover’s completion, an additional P210 million is estimated to be needed for the rectification work.
Oropel emphasized that funding for jet grouting was not included in the 2024 budget.
DPWH-6 and the consultant held a meeting on January 8 to discuss the study’s findings and recommendations in detail.
Construction of the Aganan flyover was temporarily suspended in December 2022 due to safety and stability concerns. At the time, the project was approximately 70% complete.
