Iloilo City's grand attempt at modern infrastructure, the Ungka Flyover, continues to be a subject of both ridicule and frustration.
Originally intended to ease traffic and boost economic growth, this 453.7-meter stretch of concrete has instead become a local punchline and a traffic nightmare.
The saga of its never-ending repairs seems like a plot straight out of a slapstick comedy, but the economic repercussions are no laughing matter.
Economic Toll
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) recently announced yet another delay in the flyover's reopening, pushing it from August to November.
This is after a slew of promises and reassurances that have done little to soothe the public’s growing impatience.
According to DPWH Regional Director Sanny Boy Oropel, the complex rectification techniques, including drilling and jet grouting every 6 meters up to 52 meters of the flyover, are to blame. Add to that the presence of underground utilities, and it’s a wonder any work gets done at all.
But behind the technical jargon and repeated delays lies a more pressing issue: the economic toll on Iloilo.
The flyover was meant to be a boon, reducing travel time to Iloilo International Airport and facilitating smoother traffic flow.
Instead, the soaring costs—now at P975 million from the original P680 million—represent a significant financial burden. Local businesses that banked on improved accessibility are left grappling with the status quo of congestion and delays.
The economic growth anticipated from the smooth transit of goods and people is stymied, and the flyover remains a concrete reminder of broken promises.
Traffic Woes
With the partial operation of the flyover limited to peak hours, the surrounding areas, especially Jaro district, bear the brunt of the traffic chaos. As schools reopen in July, the situation is poised to worsen. Parents, students, and workers will all funnel through an already congested network, turning daily commutes into endurance tests. The supposed relief provided by the flyover’s two inner lanes, open from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., is merely a band-aid on a gaping wound.
The result? Hours wasted in traffic, increased fuel consumption, and heightened stress levels—a trifecta of woes for Jaro residents.
Tale of Woe
The flyover's tale of woe includes a “wavy feel” experienced by drivers, flooding at its apex during rains, and a third-party geotechnical investigation revealing it’s sinking.
Engineering consultant Adam Abinales's recommendation to add bored piles to stabilize the structure—potentially requiring the removal and replacement of existing girders—sounds like an engineering thriller gone wrong.
The DPWH's appeal for public understanding might have been met with more sympathy if the project hadn’t become a symbol of bureaucratic inefficiency and poor planning.
Looking Ahead
As the second phase of repairs, costing P200 million, looms ahead, the residents and businesses of Iloilo can only hope that this time, the fixes hold.
Until then, the Ungka Flyover stands as a testament to the perils of grandiose infrastructure projects gone awry. It’s a reminder that in the quest for progress, meticulous planning and execution are paramount—less we end up with more flyovers sinking under the weight of their ambitions and economic hopes tethered to empty promises.
In the meantime, as we brace for another school year amidst the chaos, perhaps it’s time to invest in bicycles or perfect our skills in dodging traffic jams. After all, in the grand scheme of Iloilo’s infrastructure debacles, a sense of humor might just be our best coping mechanism.
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