ILOILO City – Motorists here got early relief from months of traffic disruption as the two-lane Buhang Flyover in Jaro district reopened 15 days ahead of schedule following completion of rectification works ordered by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Closed since January 2026 due to structural concerns, the P315-million flyover was reopened on Thursday, April 30 — well ahead of the May 15 target — after accelerated repairs prompted by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon’s directive to fast-track the project.
The early reopening restores a key traffic artery in the city – the intersection of the Iloilo Circumferential Road 1 and Iloilo-Capiz Road – which had caused significant inconvenience to motorists during its closure.
“We are thankful that the project was completed ahead of schedule as promised. The Buhang Flyover is open again, and we are hopeful that it will no longer need to be closed,” said Iloilo City Lone District’s Cong. Julienne Baronda who graced the reopening.
The Buhang Flyover measures 340 linear meters in length and 10.34 meters in width.
Despite its reopening, authorities stressed that restrictions remain in place under Iloilo City Regulation Ordinance No. 2023-260.
Prohibited vehicles include dump trucks, transit mixers, wing vans, trailer trucks, motorcycles, tricycles, bicycles, and other non-motorized transport, as well as vehicles with three or more axles. Pedestrians and joggers are likewise barred from using the structure.
The ordinance, enacted in November 2023 and enforced by the Public Safety and Traffic Management Office (PSTMO), aims to enhance safety and traffic flow across the city’s flyovers, particularly following previous incidents involving oversized vehicles.
Baronda said further improvements are under consideration, including plans to extend the flyover by an additional 100 meters on each end to address concerns over its narrow approaches.
“The problem is the acquisition of property. We may encounter difficulty purchasing land, but we hope that landowners will cooperate for the safety of motorists,” she said.
She added that she would support efforts to secure funding for right-of-way acquisition during budget deliberations if negotiations with property owners proceed.
The Buhang Flyover had earlier been flagged for construction deficiencies, prompting corrective action from the DPWH.
With the structure now operational, city officials urged strict compliance with traffic regulations to ensure safety and sustain smoother traffic flow along the corridor.
The Buhang Flyover was originally opened to motorists on May 13, 2023.
Construction started in late 2020 and was originally slated for completion by the end of 2022, but delays were attributed to repeated weather disturbances that affected the contractor’s quarry material supply./PN
