Iloilo City Councilor Leads Complaint Against DPWH and International Builders Corporation Over Failed Ungka Flyover Project
ILOILO CITY – In a bold move to hold officials accountable for a botched infrastructure project, Iloilo City Councilor Plaridel Nava, joined by Pavia SB Member Pyt Trimañez, Kaiser Jadulos, Atty. Dan Cartagena, and Atty. Shiela Olid, personally filed a complaint at the Western Visayas Office of the Ombudsman. The complaint targets officials from the Department of Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 and the International Builders Corporation (IBC) regarding the mismanaged and incomplete Ungka Flyover project, which cost a staggering 680 million pesos. The complaint was lodged on Monday, June 5, 2023.
The case, filed under charges of Gross Neglect of Duty, Grave Misconduct, and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of Public Service, primarily implicates former DPWH Regional Director Tiburcio Canlas, current Regional Director Nerie Bueno, Assistant Regional Director Jose Al Fruto, project engineer of the Ungka Flyover Ormel Santos, Officer-in-Charge of the Construction Division of DPWH Region 6, and John Does.
Additionally, a case of Violation of Section 3, paragraph e, of Republic Act 3019, also known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, was filed against Tiburcio Canlas, Nerie Bueno, Jose Al Fruto, Ormel Santos, along with IBC officials Helen Edith Lee Tan, the president of IBC and contractor for the Ungka Flyover, Allen Son Tan, the owner of IBC, and John Does.
The filing of the complaint has drawn attention from various groups, including Anak Bayan, I ACT Now, and the League of Filipino Students from West Visayas State University, who have staged protests demanding justice and accountability.
According to Councilor Nava’s affidavit of complaint, motorists have experienced a deteriorating road surface and water pooling on top of the flyover, highlighting foundation issues. The complaint further alleges that on March 2, 2023, DPWH Region 6 engaged Abinales Associates Engineers for a consultation on the flyover, for which a sum of 13,480,880 pesos was spent.
Structural Engineer Adam Abinales, the managing partner of the consulting firm, revealed the results of the consultation, stating that piers 4, 5, and 6 of the 16 piers supporting the flyover have sunk more than one foot since construction.
Expressing gratitude for the support received, Councilor Nava aims to shed light on the mismanagement and alleged corruption behind the disastrous Ungka Flyover, which has cost taxpayers a significant amount of money. The filing of the case marks a crucial step towards accountability and justice for the project’s failures.
