GenSan's controversial underpass opens after nearly 4 years

The controversial first underpass project in General Santos City was opened formally to the public on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.

The project, which was delayed for around four years, reportedly caused inconvenience to motorists and affected businesses in the city.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon announced the opening following an inspection.

“Bubuksan na natin ito, finally today… We will open it today and napansin niyo din 'yung sa taas nito, access road natin sa kaliwa't kanan pinaayos na din natin sinabay na natin,” Dizon said.

(We will finally open it today... and if you noticed we also repaired the access road above it at the same time.)

The maintenance of the underpass, which costs around P500,000 per month, will be shouldered by DPWH.

“I-aanounce ko na rin ngayon 'yung maintenance operation ng pump, 'yung maintenance ng underpass DPWH na ang hahawak. Hindi na natin ipapasa, kawawa naman ang city perwisyo-perwisyo na nga dito, sila pa ang magbabayad,” Dizon added.

(I am also announcing today that the DPWH will handle the maintenance operation of the pump and the maintenance of the underpass. We will not pass these on to the city which has been very inconvenienced, they don't need to pay for it.)

The construction of the project started in 2022. It was supposed to be completed in 2024 but was delayed due to several issues.

"Ang daming delay nito, nagkamali sa mga design, kulang-kulang sa pondo, unacceptable talaga yung ganyang mga delays,” Dizon said.

(There have been many reasons for the delay, errors in the design, a lack of funds, these delays are unacceptable.)

The underpass project has a total cost of more than P700 million.

“Malaki ang ating pasasalamat kasi itong proyekto na ito matagal nagsakripisyo ang mga tao,” Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao said.

(We are very grateful because this project has for so long caused much sacrifice to our people.)

Damaged by quake

Meanwhile, Dizon also inspected the flood control dike in Barangay Labangal, which was damaged by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake on June 8.

The damage has caused inconvenience to residents in the area due to accumulated soil buildup in the middle portion of the dike, which may have caused water to overflow during the recent flooding and entered several houses.

As a flood mitigation measure, DPWH ordered the immediate dredging of the river and directed its regional office and central office to deploy equipment to the area as soon as possible.

“Tingnan mo yung tulay oh, 'yung andon ka sa ilalim ng tulay maabot mo yung tulay, tingnan mo kung gaano kababaw ang ilog, talagang aapaw, we have to dredge this so I instructed the RD and the central office to send equipment here asap,” Dizon said.

(Look at this bridge, if you are underneath it you can already reach it, see how the shallow the river is, the water will naturally rise.)

Residents living near the dike may also be relocated.

“Kinausap ko rin sila na meron kameng arrangement before sila magtayo ng bahay kailangan munang mag-usap kame ayaw naming mapahamak din sila,” Pacquiao said.

(I have talked to them and we have an arrangement, before they construct their houses we have to first talk because we don't want any harm to come to them.) —Efren Yunting Mamac, GMA Regional TV News