ILOILO City – Motorists should brace for heavy congestion in the city’s busiest thoroughfare as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 kicks off a P77.2-million rehabilitation of the General Luna–Jalandoni Flyover, forcing the closure of one half-lane until November 10.
The entire project is slated for completion by January 9, 2026.
The repair works — described as “long overdue” by local traffic officials — cover asphalt overlay on the approaches, installation of non-skid road surface, repair of expansion joints and bolts, and repainting of pavement markings.
Crews will work in shifts: 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
“This has coordination. The maintenance of the General Luna–Jalandoni Flyover belongs to DPWH Region 6. Actually, this is already the second or third phase, because that area really needed maintenance. On the top portion of the flyover, we already saw the asphalt wearing off, so it really has to be scraped or replaced with new, and then the two approaches also need to be repaired,” explained Uldarico Garbanzos, head of the Iloilo City Traffic and Transport Management Office (ICTTMO).
Garbanzos said DPWH secured approval for the closure after presenting its plan.
“They already presented this to us and applied for closure. Our agreement is that they should expedite the work and provide public safety measures like cones, railings, their own traffic marshals, reflectors, and their workers must wear reflectorized vests. They will also use heavy equipment once they patch up the holes there,” he added.
To ease traffic flow, ICTTMO laid out a scheme that shifts lane usage based on peak hours.
“The scheme is that only half of the lane will be worked on first. Meaning, if you are coming from the Iloilo City Police Office, only the right portion can be used. Our scheme is that during morning rush hour, the open half-lane will be used for inbound vehicles. In the afternoon, starting at 4:30 PM, we will use it for outbound traffic,” Garbanzos said.
He stressed the plan is based on traffic volume.
“We are doing this because in the morning, there are many vehicles going inside the city, and in the afternoon, there are many going out. This is to minimize the traffic impact. We also observed that at the junction of General Luna and Jalandoni Street, especially under the flyover, there is heavy convergence of vehicles. We are also planning additional traffic schemes, subject to the approval of the city council,” he noted.
The ICTTMO chief urged DPWH to maximize night work to cut delays.
“Our additional request to DPWH is that they continue working until nighttime so that the period they requested for the flyover repairs will not be prolonged. This way, the flyover can be used earlier, especially since we are already entering the Yuletide season,” he said.
Garbanzos admitted the flyover’s wear-and-tear is undeniable.
“From their explanation, maintenance was really necessary and replacement was due. The structure seems to be shaking, and when you reach the approaches, you can already experience potholes,” he pointed out.
He also issued an advisory to motorists.
“To our motorists, the Iloilo City Government through our office, the ICTTMO, is advising that the Jalandoni Flyover is under repair. Passing through this area will cause traffic slowdown and congestion, particularly during rush hour. We ask for your patience. If possible, avoid the maintenance area at Jalandoni Flyover. That is part of our advisory – to take alternate routes,” he said./PN
