Idle box culverts have reportedly posed serious inconveniences for months in Barangay Alalasan, Lapuz District, Iloilo City.

There are motorists involved daily in alleged fights because of the one-way scheme implemented due to the partial road closure.

“Siyempre perwisyo, ang mga estudyante sa tabi dumadaan. Perwisyo sa mga commuter,” a resident named Lilian Vargas said.

Another resident, Annalisa Castillo, urged that roadworks be expedited.

“Bilisan nila. Konti lang kasi ang workers. Siguro aabutin pa ito… isang Linggo pa ito. Hindi na namin kaya kasi ilang buwan nang ganito,” Castillo said.

According to Meme Mateo, tricycle driver, if the inconveniences persist, they would lose more of their regular income that has already dropped to almost half daily.

“Traffic talaga! Sobrang disturbo at perwisyo sa namamasada,” Mateo stressed.

On Monday, September 8, 2025, residents said they observed men taking down a few of the box culverts, but residents continue to complain of their “snail-like pace.”

Afterwhich, the chairmen of Barangays Alalasan and Don Esteban sought help from the Iloilo City mayor to stop the project and to transfer to other area the fabrication of box culverts.

It was learned that the project is being implemented by F. Gurrea Construction, Inc. and is under the supervision of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) - Iloilo City District Engineering Office.

“Dahil malaking construction company, dapat meron silang site kung saan nila gagawin ang mga box culvert. Kaya naging problema ang traffic kasi nilinya nila dyan,” Barangay Alalasan Chairman Jofel Ladiet said.

Further, the contractor asked reportedly the Iloilo City Traffic and Transportation Management Office (TTMO) to implement closure for the entire road on the removal of the box culverts, but were not permitted.

“Bakit i-close? Kung closure talaga, hihingi pa sila ng clearance sa City Council. Ang sa akin, titingnan ko ang kanilang work plan at ang aking ma-recommend, sa gabi na lang isagawa,” said Uldarico Garbanzos, head of Iloilo City TTMO.

GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas tried to seek a comment from the contractor but is yet awaiting a reply, as of this writing.

Meanwhile, it was also cited that on-road parking has contributed to the congestion in the area.

The barangay has mulled on implementing a one-side parking scheme to address pressing concerns.

“Nag-recommend na kami, kami na one-side parking lang kami sa 3-wheeled vehicle lang. Hindi pwede ang 4-wheeled, hindi pwede 2-wheeled," Ladiet added.