ILOILO City – Less than two years after it was opened to traffic, the P315-million Buhang Flyover has been shut down after structural cracks and falling cement raised serious questions over project quality and government oversight. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) ordered a full structural assessment and directed the contractor to shoulder all repair costs.
The closure started on Sunday, February 1, and will run until March 25.
The Iloilo City Traffic and Transportation Management Office (ICTTMO) issued an advisory warning motorists and commuters of the closure to give way to scheduled structural assessment and rectification works on the flyover.
“The public is advised to take alternative routes for safety and to minimize inconvenience,” ICTTMO stated.
The Iloilo City government separately confirmed the shutdown, citing safety concerns flagged during an inspection by DPWH Secretary Vivencio “Vince” Dizon.
“Secretary Vince Dizon personally inspected the damage, including cement falling from its underside and emerging cracks,” the city government said in a Facebook post on January 30.
Dizon conducted an ocular inspection of the flyover on January 19 after reports surfaced about cracks and falling concrete. He originally intended to inspect the nearby Aganan Flyover in Pavia, Iloilo, but included the Buhang Flyover in his itinerary after receiving information about its condition.
During his on-site directive to contractor F. Gurrea Construction, Inc., Dizon raised concerns about possible structural issues beyond the visibly damaged section.
“You have to fix this. What is the guarantee na it will not happen in the other segments? Kasi right now I’m looking sa itaas, tinitingnan ko ngayon ‘yong ibang portion ng segment na ito. Nagkaka-crack na din. You have to check all of these. When will you start repairing this?” Dizon told the contractor.
He further pushed for a full structural assessment of the entire flyover, warning against repeated patchwork repairs that could compromise long-term safety.
“I will monitor this. How long will the repair take? Ipa-check ko, or I can ask for the findings kung bakit nagkaganito. Kasi pagtinapalan lang, sira na naman ‘to. So, let’s make sure na long-term ang repair,” Dizon said.
Dizon stressed that the contractor should shoulder all repair expenses, adding that no DPWH funds should be used for the rectification works.
The contractor committed to begin repairs after the recently concluded Dinagyang Festival 2026.
The two-lane Buhang Flyover was opened to motorists on May 13, 2023, under the leadership of then DPWH Region 6 director Nerie Bueno. The structure measures 340 linear meters in length and 10.34 meters in width.
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.
With the temporary closure now in effect, traffic authorities urged motorists to plan their routes ahead and expect congestion on nearby roads as repairs and safety checks are carried out on one of Iloilo City’s major flyovers./PN