ILOILO – Motorists traveling between Iloilo City, Pavia and Sta. Barbara towns face major traffic adjustments on three weekends as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 seeks the temporary closure of the busy Aganan intersection to install massive concrete girders for the long-delayed Aganan Flyover.
DPWH-6 has asked the Pavia municipal government for approval to close the intersection along Gorriceta Avenue in Barangay Aganan for six days spread over three weekends — September 19-20, September 26-27, and October 10-11, 2026.
The four-lane Aganan Flyover aims to shorten travel time to the Iloilo International Airport from Iloilo City and vice versa.
The proposed closures will be enforced from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on each of the six days to allow the launching and installation of prestressed concrete girders for the flyover project.
DPWH-6 formally wrote the office of Pavia Vice Mayor Edsel Gerochi on September 14 seeking the Sangguniang Bayan’s approval for the temporary road closure.
The request followed a proposal from project contractor International Builders Corporation (IBC), which said sufficient space was needed for the equipment and machinery that would be used to install and launch the girders.
The Aganan Flyover’s construction started in 2020. Work stopped in 2023 after structural issues with its piers were detected. Construction resumed just this April 2026.
“The closure of the affected road section is deemed necessary due to the limited construction area available to accommodate the required equipment and machinery during launching activities. Moreover, the affected area must be properly cordoned off to ensure the safety of the construction workers, motorists, pedestrians, and the general public,” DPWH-6 said in its letter.
The southbound section of the Aganan Flyover is targeted for opening before the end of 2026, according to DPWH secretary Vivencio “Vince” Dizon during a visit in June.
The southbound section refers to the portion of the flyover used by motorists traveling toward Iloilo City, while the northbound section serves vehicles heading toward the Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo.
DPWH-6 said the nature and scale of the girder installation made the temporary closure necessary to prevent accidents and other hazards during construction.
It assured motorists that directional and warning signs, barricades and other traffic-control devices would be installed at strategic locations.
DPWH-6 will also coordinate with the Public Safety and Traffic Management Office of Pavia and other concerned authorities to manage traffic and minimize inconvenience during the closures.
Originally funded at P802 million, the Aganan Flyover project required additional corrective works after structural issues were discovered – specifically, the shallowness of the piers.
This year, the DPWH Central Office allocated an additional P229 million to complete the remaining rectification measures, including extensive jet grouting activities to strengthen the piers.
ALTERNATE ROUTES
DPWH-6 proposed several alternate routes for motorists who normally pass through the Aganan-Gorriceta Avenue intersection.
Motorists coming from Sta. Barbara and Pavia and bound for Iloilo City may turn left toward Pavia at Carlitos, proceed through Pavia Plaza, Barangay Anilao and Barangay Tacas, and continue through Quintin Salas to Jaro Plaza.
They may also follow the same route up to Barangay Tacas, turn right onto Circumferential Road, and proceed through the Ungka Flyover intersection toward Jaro Plaza.
Another route for motorists from Sta. Barbara to Iloilo City is through Taft Street in Sta. Barbara, Barangay Agutayan, Cabugao Norte, Tigum, Pagsangaan and Tacas before proceeding through Quintin Salas to Jaro Plaza.
Those traveling from Sta. Barbara to San Miguel may take Taft Street through Agutayan, Cabugao Norte, Tigum, Pagsangaan and Tacas before turning right onto Circumferential Road.
Motorists from San Miguel bound for Sta. Barbara may proceed through Jibao-an and Circumferential Road, turn left toward Tacas, and pass through Pagsangaan, Tigum, Cabugao Norte and Agutayan before reaching Sta. Barbara.
For motorists traveling from Iloilo City to Sta. Barbara and Pavia, DPWH-6 recommended passing through Jaro Plaza and the Ungka Flyover, turning right onto Circumferential Road and then left toward Tacas before proceeding through Pagsangaan, Tigum, Cabugao Norte and Agutayan to Sta. Barbara.
Another option is to take Jaro Plaza and the Ungka Flyover, turn right onto Circumferential Road, proceed to Tacas, then turn left toward Anilao and Pavia poblacion before continuing to Sta. Barbara.
The temporary closure is intended to provide a safe working zone for the installation of the prestressed concrete girders, a key phase in the continuing construction of the Aganan Flyover./PN
