ILOILO City – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is urging the public not to draw comparisons between the Ungka flyover in Pavia, Iloilo and the recently collapsed Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge in Isabela province.
Regional Director Sanny Boy Oropel made the appeal following online comments and concerns from netizens who feared the possibility of the Ungka flyover experiencing a similar collapse, given the vertical displacement observed in the piers of the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge, which led to its eventual collapse.
“We cannot speculate on what happened at Cabagan. I am just appealing that our Ungka flyover should not be linked to it, although I understand the fears due to the incident. Rest assured, we have solid reasons for reopening the Ungka flyover,” Oropel said in an interview with Panay News.
Oropel explained that before the DPWH decided to open the Ungka flyover to full capacity on December 23, 2024, extensive studies and research were conducted by the technical and engineering team to ensure the safety of motorists and the public.
This included surveys, evaluations, research, and seismic analysis following jet grouting activities, which showed that there was no more displacement or that any displacement had been addressed in the Ungka flyover’s piers.
“Everything indicated that the flyover was safe to open,” Oropel emphasized.
Oropel pointed to the gradual removal of the shoring structures as evidence of the flyover’s stability.
The shoring had been installed to support the superstructure while jet grouting was being done on the remaining piers. Since no movement or displacement has been observed since the flyover opened to full capacity, the shoring was gradually dismantled.
DPWH believes the successful jet grouting reached the necessary soil strata, ensuring the Ungka flyover’s stability.
“This shows that the jet grouting was effective, and we have reached the refusal stage in the soil classification,” Oropel added.
The collapse of the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge occurred on February 27 when the third span of the arch bridge, located along the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Road in Isabela, gave way after a dump truck carrying boulders (weighing approximately 102 tons) passed over it.
The bridge, which began construction in November 2014 and was completed on February 1, 2025, cost P1.23 billion. It is 990 meters long, with 12 arch spans and nine pre-stressed concrete girder spans. The contractor was R.D. Interior, Jr. Construction.
DPWH Region 2 is currently investigating the cause of the bridge failure, with experts from the Bureau of Design and Bureau of Construction in the Central Office called in for further evaluation and assessment.
Update on the Remaining Works at Ungka Flyover
Oropel also provided an update on the ongoing works at the Ungka flyover, which are being completed by International Builders Corporation (IBC). The remaining tasks include the installation of railings, metal cladding, shoring removal, and asphalt overlay. Oropel confirmed that all activities are expected to be finished by March 15, 2025.
The Ungka flyover stretches from Barangay Ungka, Jaro, Iloilo City to Barangay Ungka II, Pavia. Straddling the major intersection of the Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue and President Corazon Aquino Avenue in Barangay Ungka II, it is meant to ease traffic congestion in this crucial point that leads in and out of Iloilo City.
Construction of this four-lane, 453.7 lineal meters long flyover started on January 2020 and opened to traffic on the first week of September 2022. But this was closed two weeks after due to vertical displacement or subsidence.
The P680-million flyover then underwent rectification costing P300 million more, ballooning the total price to nearly P1 billion.
DPWH filly opened the Ungka flyover to traffic on December 23, 2024./PN
