ILOILO City – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Region 6 has effectively conceded it will not meet Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon’s Christmas 2026 deadline for the full completion of the long-delayed P802-million Aganan Flyover in Pavia, Iloilo.
Instead, only the northbound lane of the flyover — serving motorists heading to the Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan town — may open by December 2026, while the southbound lane toward Iloilo City is expected to be completed three months later, in March 2027.
DPWH regional director Engr. Denise Maria Ayag confirmed the revised timeline as construction works resumed on the project.
Jet grouting to strengthen the shallow piers of the Aganan Flyover resumed on February 28.
“Hopefully dere-deretso na ‘tong construction natin after nearly four years na nag-stop ‘yung construction, and hopefully matapos nga natin ng December kahit man lamang sa northbound para ma-ease ang traffic congestion papuntang back and forth sa Iloilo airport. ‘Yan ang target natin,” Ayag said.
Construction of the Aganan Flyover project stopped in 2022 after it was discovered that its piers (foundations) were not deep enough.
Secretary Dizon, during an inspection of the Aganan Flyover in January, said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. pressed for the project’s completion by December 2026.
“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.
Among the major works needed to complete the structure are jet grouting for 19 of the 21 piers, decking of the flyover, and the construction of three abutments including the approaches.
Current jet grouting works are being undertaken by International Builders Corporation (IBC), the contractor that won the P802-million contract for the flyover project.
DPWH-6 is using the remaining 20 percent of the project fund to resume construction.
To ensure the completion of the project, the DPWH Central Office also released an additional P229 million, which was opened for bidding Tuesday morning.
With construction ongoing, Ayag appealed for understanding from motorists affected by traffic congestion in the area and urged them to take alternative routes whenever possible.
“Kaunting tiis lang. May mga alternate routes dyan,” Ayag said.
In January, Secretary Dizon also said an initial plan was already in place to address the Aganan 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.
Ayag said the contractor is working 24 hours a day to make the northbound portion passable by Christmas.
Ayag also addressed the issue of the unpaid right of way involving the family of Aurora Jamotillo, saying the payment is expected to be released within the week or the next.
“Pina-process ‘yan ng opisina,” Ayag said.
Numerous documentary requirements caused delays in the payment, the director explained.
The nonpayment gained public attention in January when the Jamotillos put up a “private property, no trespassing” tarpaulin at the Aganan Flyover construction site.
The Jamotillo family said 1,142 square meters of their property, valued at P1.9 million, was taken for the flyover. They submitted 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