ILOILO — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered the long-delayed Aganan Flyover in Pavia, Iloilo to be completed before Christmas 2026, with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) committing an additional P229 million to fast-track the project while prioritizing safety and fixing design flaws similar to the nearby Ungka Flyover.
DPWH secretary Vivencio “Vince” Dizon made the commitment during an inspection of the P802-million flyover on Monday, January 19, saying the directive came straight from the President to finally complete all long-stalled public works nationwide, including the Aganan project, which has been idle since 2022.
“Magiging Christmas gift po ni PBBM sa mga taga-Iloilo. Christmas of 2026 ha, not 2027 para clear ‘yan,” Dizon told reporters.
Despite the push to finish the flyover within the year, Dizon stressed that public safety will not be compromised, especially amid suspicions that structural issues that plagued the Ungka Flyover are also being suffered by the Aganan Flyover.
“Ang pinaka-importante safety, and ‘yun nga nakita natin sa Ungka Flyover na lumubog. May suspetsa na ganun din ang problema dito sa Aganan. Kailangan tapusin mabilis pero we have to make sure na safe. Hindi natin iko-kompromiso ‘yong safety kasi buhay ng mga kababayan natin ito,” he said.
Dizon said an initial plan is already in place to address the flyover’s critical 50-meter intersection span, with options including either a concrete or steel structure.
However, he noted that a second opinion from a foreign consultant will be sought to ensure the design revision is sound.
The DPWH chief estimated that the consultant’s review would take about one month, allowing construction of the flyover’s main structure to begin by February, while work on the approaches will proceed immediately as these pose no risk to motorists.
Dizon also assured the DPWH Region 6 that funding will not be an issue.
“May budget tayo for this. May P229 million to complete. Wala tayong problema sa pondo. Pero we have to focus first on safety,” he said.
Probe on Ungka, Aganan Failures
Beyond completion, Dizon said the DPWH will investigate what went wrong with both the Ungka and Aganan flyovers, noting that the Ungka structure suffered from sinking columns, while Aganan reportedly has piers that were not buried deep enough.
“Gagawin din natin ang imbestigasyon but we will prioritize muna yong pagtapos. Someone has to answer for this,” Dizon said.
He stressed that accountability is necessary, especially since the government incurred additional costs due to the failures of the two projects.
“Ang Ungka Flyover kailangan imbestigahan kasi dagdag na gastos ‘yan na hindi naman nangyari kung tama ang ginawa na pagpa-plano ‘di ba? But ang commitment natin, we will solve this (Aganan Flyover) first,”
The four-lane, 453.7 lineal meters long Ungka Flyover suffered vertical displacement two weeks after it opened to traffic in September 2022 and had to be fixed before it was deemed safe enough for public use in December 2024.
The Ungka Flyover’s original cost was P680 million. Due to the repairs, its total cost ballooned to nearly P1 billion.
Payment of Right-of-Way Claims
Dizon also addressed lingering right-of-way payment issues tied to the Aganan Flyover, assuring affected landowners that all valid claims will be settled.
He explained that previous delays stemmed from insufficient right-of-way budgets approved in the past, but said Congress has now allotted a significant right-of-way fund for 2026.
“Now we have significant right of way budget for 2026. So, may assurance to the residents or to the claimants or land owners, we will pay what is due to you. Hindi puedeng nagawa na ang flyover tapos hindi pa natin babayaran. Please allow us to process the papers and we will pay what is due to you,” Dizon said.
The issue gained public attention after a family claimant put up a “private property, no trespassing” tarpaulin at the Aganan Flyover construction site, demanding payment of the remaining balance for land used in the project.
The Jamotillos family said 1,142 square meters of their property, valued at P1.9 million, was taken for the flyover. They claimed they submitted complete documents to DPWH in October 2023 and have repeatedly followed up, only to be told that their claim was still being processed at the national office./PN
