Safety measures for rectification works at Ungka Flyover are deemed sloppy, according to Iloilo Provincial Board Member June Mondejar.

Mondejar is the chairperson of the Committee on Infrastructure at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

The comment came after complaints about falling debris were tackled in a committee hearing on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.

“Kung hindi mag-monitor ang DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways], nagpapabaya na lang ang contractor. Kailangan effective ang safety measures,” Mondejar said.

Debris fell reportedly upon a policeman identified as Staff Sergeant Frank Sanchez on December 7, 2024.

SSgt. Sanchez said that the debris hit right on his crash helmet while he was plying below the flyover on board his motorcycle.

“Ang ikinasasama ng loob ko ay ako pa yung lumalabas na nagsisinungaling, gumagawa ng kwento. Ano ang makukuha ko? Pulis po ako. Hindi ko kailangan ang areglo, pera mula sa inyong departamento,” Sanchez pointed out.

According to the records of Pavia Municipal Police Station, a taxi was also hit by concrete debris on September 27, 2024.

DPWH Western Visayas explained that the debris could have come from the wire soft cutting done at the side of the flyover.

“Nagkataon siguro na ang loader nag-load ng debris. Paglagay sa dump truck, may pumuslit. Yun siguro kaya may nahulog,” said DPWH Region 6 Construction Division Chief, Engr. Ormel Santos.

Following the complaints, DPWH 6 vowed to review and strengthen its safety measures at Ungka Flyover.

The contractor did not admit culpability directly, though, but expressed reception to complaints.

“I-review namin and we have to make necessary actions, preventive measures to prevent na hindi na mangyari ulit,” Maximo Pareja, a representative of IBC [International Builders Corporation], said.

IBC, the original project contractor for Ungka flyover bid for the infrastructure’s rectification and was awarded as the DPWH 6 regional director deemed it to be the “most qualified.”

However, the chairman of the Committee on Public Safety of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Pavia went emotional because of the reported pernicious effects that the delay in the rectification works has caused, such as flooding and traffic jams.

The committee also expressed doubts that the flyover would reopen by December 25, 2024.

On December 16, 2024, DPWH 6 Director, Engr. Sanny Boy Orofel, was a no-show during the committee hearing.

Engr. Orofel was invited to the session of the Sangguniang Bayan of Pavia to help tackle supposedly the issues hounding the delay.

“This is I think the sixth promise you made to us in the Municipality of Pavia. Kahapon ginawa nyo kaming tau-tauhan, hindi man lang kayo sumasagot,” Roy Gorriceta, Sangguniang Bayan member of Pavia LGU, said. 

DPWH 6 stood by its pronouncement that the controversial flyover would be reopened on Christmas Day, but that jet grouting activities will continue until the third week of January 2025.