ILOILO CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has urged the public to avoid comparing the Ungka flyover in Pavia, Iloilo with the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge in Isabela province, which recently collapsed.
In an interview with Bombo Radyo Iloilo, DPWH Regional Director Sanny Boy Oropel addressed concerns raised by netizens speculating that the Ungka flyover might experience a similar collapse after noticing vertical displacement in the piers of the Isabela bridge before its failure.
Oropel clarified that the two structures have different circumstances, emphasizing that the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge collapsed due to overloading. The 990-meter, four-lane tied-arch bridge, built for PHP 1.225 billion, partially collapsed on February 27, 2025, when a dump truck carrying 102 tons of boulders—far exceeding the weight limit—caused a 60-meter span to give way. The incident left six people injured, including a child, while the truck driver remains missing.
In contrast, Oropel assured the public that extensive studies and evaluations were conducted before the full reopening of the Ungka flyover on December 23, 2024. Technical teams performed seismic analysis, surveys, and research following jet grouting activities, confirming that the flyover remains stable with no further displacement detected.
Meanwhile, DPWH Region 2 has launched an investigation into the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge collapse, with experts from the Bureau of Design and Bureau of Construction conducting further assessments.
The Ungka flyover, which stretches 453.7 meters from Barangay Ungka, Jaro, Iloilo City, to Barangay Ungka II, Pavia, aims to ease traffic congestion along Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue and President Corazon Aquino Avenue. It was originally opened in September 2022 but was closed two weeks later due to vertical displacement issues. Rectification works, costing an additional PHP 300 million, raised the total project cost to nearly PHP 1 billion.
As of now, several types of vehicles—including dump trucks, transit mixers, wing vans, trailer trucks, motorcycles, tricycles, and bicycles—remain restricted from using the flyover.
Oropel also provided updates on ongoing construction works, including railing installations, metal cladding, shoring removal, and asphalt overlay, all of which are expected to be completed by March 15, 2025.
-𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗕𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗼 𝗟𝘆𝗻𝗱-𝗖 𝗕𝗮𝗱𝗲
