ILOILO City – The Iloilo City Government has slashed more than P1.2 million from the cost of the Diversion Road pedestrian overpass in Mandurriao district after a value engineering review removed non-essential materials from the project, with city engineers insisting that the revisions did not compromise public safety.
City records show the project budget was reduced from P4,114,697.40 to P2.8 million, generating P1,242,924.13 in savings following adjustments approved by the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) during construction.
OIC City Engineer Dianaline Señoron said the revisions involved scrapping LED lighting, plumbing components, and other add-ons, while replacing planned non-slip floor tiles with a more cost-efficient epoxy finish.
“What we removed were items that were not necessary,” Señoron said in an interview. “The important thing is that the overpass can be used, and that public safety is assured.”
Señoron stressed that the changes did not affect the structure’s integrity, noting that the redesign prioritized functionality over aesthetics.
“There is no compromise on safety even with the revisions,” she said.
Construction has been slowed by unfavorable weather conditions, prompting the city to grant the contractor an extension until January 6, 2026, beyond the original December 8, 2025 completion date.
Señoron warned that penalties would be imposed if the revised deadline is not met.
“If they cannot finish by the extension, liquidated damages will apply,” she said.
The City Engineer’s Office expects the project to be completed by early January, citing storm-related disruptions as the primary cause of delay.
With public scrutiny intensifying over government spending amid Iloilo City’s infrastructure expansion, Señoron said the cost reduction reflects stricter fiscal discipline and more deliberate project review.
“We reviewed the project thoroughly. If there is an opportunity to reduce costs without sacrificing safety, then that is money returned to the people,” she said.
“Our goal is a safe, serviceable overpass — not an overpriced one,” Señoron added./PN
