By John Noel E. Herrera
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-6 said the geotechnical investigation on the defective P680-million Ungka II flyover in Pavia, Iloilo has already started after the notice to proceed was awarded to the winning bidder on March 3, 2023.
DPWH-6 assistant regional director Engr. Jose Al Fruto revealed that the Abinales Associates Engineers + Consultant based in Metro Manila won the bidding, citing they offered a lower contract amount and edged the other two bidders with their expertise in geotechnical investigation.
Fruto added that the investigation will last for three months, but DPWH-6 is hoping for the initial result to be out by April 2023.
During the Regional Development Council (RDC) meeting last Feb. 28, 2023, DPWH-6 regional director Nerie Bueno said that the results of the investigation will be out by April.
“They could start in March and sabi namin, they have to give us the results as soon as possible, and they told us also that maybe after a month, they can give us the result,” Bueno previously said.
The investigation will focus on determining the cause of the vertical displacement of settlement on three piers or foundations (piers 4, 5, and 6) of the Ungka II flyover.
Fruto noted that the consulting firm will also determine the possible applicable engineering solution.
Once the third-party consultant submitted the recommendation, the DPWH central office will determine the proper interventions to apply, according to Fruto.
Meanwhile, during the last RDC meeting, Bueno shared that the Buhang Flyover in Jaro, Iloilo City will be opened to the public this March and would be personally inaugurated by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in April, as it is identified by DPWH-6 as one of its “high-impact” projects in the region.
But, there was no official statement yet coming from the DPWH-6 about the exact date of the opening.
Daily Guardian also reached out to Fruto for the confirmation of the date, but he has not responded as of writing.
The Aganan Flyover, on the other hand, has no defects, according to DPWH-6, and they just decided to temporarily suspend the construction as it is on the same road line as the Ungka flyover.
