ILOILO – The long-stalled Aganan Flyover in Pavia town will finally be inching toward completion, with the House of Representatives confirming a P250-million allocation in the 2026 national budget to finish the controversial project that has been on hold since 2022.
The assurance, given by the House Committee on Appropriations, guarantees that the fund for the flyover’s completion is already embedded in the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA). Once President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signs the measure into law, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) can immediately proceed with construction.
“This is it — once the budget is signed, work on the Aganan Flyover can finally move forward,” said Pavia Sangguniang Bayan member Jo Jan Paul “JP” Peñol who is also an ex-officio member of the Iloilo Provincial Board.
“Kagina lang kita naka istorya kay former (2nd District) congressman Mike Gorriceta kay ang banwa sang Pavia Sangguniang Bayan nagpasa sang resolution nga nagapangayo kita sang budget nga P250 million para sa pagpatapos sang Aganan Flyover. Aton sini is, dapat tapuson na gid man sang DPWH kag para magamit na sang aton pamuluyo ang ina nga infrastructure. They have just to make sure nga ang infrastructure safe for use,” Peñol said.
He added that the budget assurance came following continuous lobbying by Gorriceta and incumbent Cong. Kathy Gorriceta.
“Nag-request kita through resolution kag pinaagi kay former congressman Mike Gorriceta and incumbent Cong. Kathy, gin pa-assure sila sang House of Representatives, House Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ De Guzman Dy III kag DPWH Secretary Vivencio ‘Vince’ Dizon nga ang budget nga P250 million ara sa General Appropriations Act for 2026. So once mapermahan ni President Marcos ang GAA for 2026, ini nga budget pwede na ma-release and utilize for the Aganan Flyover,” he explained.
DPWH Region 6 OIC regional director Engr. Jose Al Fruto confirmed that once the funds are released, construction will resume by February or March 2026.
“If we begin construction in February 2026, we estimate that all work, including both the foundation strengthening and remaining civil works, will be completed by the first quarter of 2027,” Fruto said, though he added that the agency is aiming to finish earlier.
If progress is faster, there’s a possibility the flyover could open by December 2026, he added.
Construction of the Aganan Flyover started in January 2020 but was suspended in October 2022 after major structural defects — similar to those found in the nearby Ungka Flyover — were discovered.
The delay has since worsened traffic congestion in Barangay Aganan, especially during rush hours, causing daily inconvenience to commuters.
“Mas dako pa ang galastuson kong i-demolish, kaysa kay-uhon. So ipatapos na lang and make sure nga safe for use. Mag-abot ya budget, dapat suguran na nga daan. By 2026, dapat tapos na ni,” Peñol stressed.
With the budget assurance now in place, Pavia officials and residents are optimistic that the long wait will finally end — and that by next year, the Aganan Flyover will rise again as a symbol of accountability, progress, and long-overdue public service./PN
