ILOILO City – The long-delayed Aganan Flyover project in Pavia, Iloilo has reached a major construction milestone, with the southbound section now 70 percent complete and on track for opening before the end of 2026, according to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vivencio “Vince” Dizon.
Dizon announced the progress during his visit to Iloilo on Friday, June 19, saying construction activities being undertaken by DPWH Region 6 and contractor International Builders Corporation (IBC) remain on schedule despite years of delays that have plagued the project.
“The northbound (lane may be completed by the) first quarter (of) next year (yet). Seventy percent (completion) for the southbound (lane), ‘yung northbound mas mababa ng kaunti (ang completion), basta tuloy pa rin. Kita naman ninyo five years na delayed na ‘yan. We just have to keep working,” Dizon told reporters.
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.
During an inspection of the project on April 15, Dizon said DPWH aimed to complete jet grouting activities on the four-lane Aganan Flyover’s 21 piers by May and begin girder installation by June or July as part of efforts to accelerate completion of the structure.
Dizon again criticized the prolonged implementation of the project, describing it as a symbol of past shortcomings within the agency.
“The Aganan Flyover is a poster child ng masamang ginagawa ng DPWH in the past. I was talking to Mayor Luigi Gorriceta the other time, and talagang hindi na nila alam ‘yung gagawin nila,” he said.
Despite the push to fast-track construction, Dizon assured the public that safety remains the government’s top priority.
“We cannot compromise safety. The primary goal natin is to ensure the flyover is safe,” he stressed.
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.
The Aganan Flyover’s construction started in 2020. Work stopped in 2023 after issues with the piers were detected.
Construction resumed just this April 2926.
The Aganan Flyover aims to shorten travel time to the Iloilo International Airport from Iloilo City and vice versa./PN
