ILOILO City – The religious sector is doing its part: Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center (JASAC) director Msgr. Meliton Oso sent a letter to Samuel Reyes Martires of the Office of the Ombudsman to act motu proprio and have the defective P680-million Ungka flyover investigated.
“Ang promisa ko nga masulat sa Ombudsman nahimu ko ina. Nangayo gid ako kay Samuel Reyes Martires to act motu proprio agud aksyonan ining anomalous project,” said Oso on Monday, June 5.
He added he has an obligation to demand justice and to uphold the truth as a Christian.
Oso hoped that everyone would take action so that the public’s money would not go to waste.
“That letter is simply seeking the truth and demanding justice,” he said.
In his letter, Oso elaborated on the expenses of the project.
First, the P680-million budget for the flyover’s construction, which he said Ilonggos were unable to fully utilize due to vertical displacement,
Aside from this, Oso mentioned the additional P13.480 million the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) paid to the third-party consulting firm Abinales Associates Engineers + Consultants to conduct a geotechnical investigation.
The JASAC director also pointed out the at least P250 million needed to repair the Ungka flyover following the recommended schemes.
With these, Oso believed that there should be someone accountable.
Located in Barangay Ungka II, Pavia, Iloilo, the Ungka flyover is 453.7 lineal meters long on a bored pile foundation, including the approaches.
Construction started in January 2020. The contractor was International Builders Corp.
It fully opened on Sept. 5, 2022. On Sept. 16, 2022 or just after 11 days, it was closed due to vertical displacement./PN
