ILOILO City – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Western Visayas has declared the controversial Ungka Flyover in Pavia, Iloilo “structurally sound” after two major earthquakes rocked parts of the Visayas and Mindanao, but vowed to keep a close watch amid persistent public doubts about its safety.
DPWH OIC regional director Engr. Jose Al Fruto said a technical team immediately conducted a Rapid Visual Assessment (RVA) on the flyover after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit Cebu on September 30 and a magnitude 7.4 tremor struck Davao Oriental on October 10 — both felt across Iloilo.
“Our teams were immediately deployed to assess possible cracks, joint displacements, or any sign of movement using specialized bridge inspection vehicles,” Fruto said.
RVA is a standard safety measure after major seismic events to ensure that public infrastructure remains safe and serviceable.
The inspection found no visible or critical structural damage to the over P900-million flyover, which remains open to four-wheeled and light vehicles.
But Fruto stressed that the DPWH will continue its monitoring efforts as part of its seismic response protocol, noting the flyover’s troubled history of subsidence since 2022.
“Although the Ungka Flyover remains stable, we are not letting our guard down,” he said. “If succeeding inspections reveal any signs of risk, we will not hesitate to recommend a temporary closure for public safety.”
Fruto added that similar assessments will be conducted on other critical structures in Iloilo, including the Aganan Flyover also in Pavia, and several heritage churches that attract large crowds.
The Ungka Flyover stretches from Barangay Ungka, Jaro, Iloilo City to Barangay Ungka II, Pavia. Straddling the major intersection of the Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue and President Corazon Aquino Avenue in Barangay Ungka II, it is meant to ease traffic congestion in this crucial point that leads in and out of Iloilo City.
The four-lane, 453.7 lineal meters long Ungka Flyover was constructed beginning January 2020 and opened to traffic on the first week of September 2022. But this was closed two weeks after due to vertical displacement or subsidence. It has since become a symbol of flawed planning and construction oversight.
The P680-million flyover undergoing rectification costing P300 million more, ballooning the total price to nearly P1 billion.
Despite official assurances, residents and motorists remain wary — especially after the recent tremors reignited fears that the structure could again show signs of instability./PN
