ILOILO – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 has ordered a full clearing operation underneath the Ungka flyover in Pavia town to speed up the completion of remaining minor works, signaling the final phase of rehabilitation after months of jet grouting.
Regional Director Sanny Boy Oropel said he has directed the contractor, International Builders Corporation (IBC), to remove the galvanized iron sheets used as enclosures around the piers and clear the excavated materials left from jet grouting operations.
“Basically, there are no more shoring supports at the Ungka flyover, except around piers 7 and 8, which were removed last Saturday and Sunday. What remains are enclosure GI sheets and extracted materials from jet grouting and boreholes that must now be overhauled,” Oropel said.
The clearing will prepare the area for asphalt overlaying of the outer lanes beneath the flyover. So far, only the inner lanes have been asphalted.
In addition to resurfacing, DPWH-6 will design designated loading and unloading bays along the entire stretch of the flyover to help manage traffic, especially for public utility vehicles.
Aside from the outer lane asphalt overlay, the only remaining work underneath the structure is the installation of aluminum cladding atop the flyover.
Oropel explained that while cladding works are ongoing — including laser cutting of materials — the process is slower because of the continuous vehicular traffic, limiting full-scale construction activities.
He appealed to the public for understanding over the delays, assuring Ilonggos that efforts are being made to expedite completion.
“Once the asphalt overlay and aluminum cladding installation are completed, the project will be fully wrapped up,” he stressed.
When asked about the structural integrity of the flyover now that shoring has been removed, Oropel assured that no settlement issues have been observed since the structure was reopened to full capacity on December 23, 2024.
“We can confidently say the Ungka flyover is safe. We have not detected any settlement after the jet grouting was completed,” Oropel affirmed./PN
