BY IME SORNITO and GLENDA TAYONA
ILOILO City – Ilonggo congressmen expressed support to the proposed legislative inquiry in the House of Representatives on the controversial P680-million Ungka flyover and the delayed construction of the P560-million Aganan flyover in Pavia, Iloilo.
It was Kabataan Party-list’s Rep. Raoul Danniel A. Manuel, Gabriela Women’s Rep. Arlene D. Brosas and Act Teachers’ Rep. France L. Castro who filed House Resolution No. 721 for that on Jan. 26. They belonged to the so-called Makabayan (Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan) bloc in the Lower House.
According to Iloilo City’s Rep. Julienne Baronda, she respects the filing of House Resolution No. 721 as this advances transparency and accountability.
“We have given the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) time to look into the concern and submit a report, but the public cannot wait any longer for answers. If DPWH cannot submit an exhaustive report at once, the matter would be best scrutinized before the public in a congressional hearing so that all questions are answered and all concerns are hopefully addressed,” said Baronda.
Iloilo’s 2nd District’s Cong. Michael Gorriceta, for his part, signified to co-author the resolution to show his support to the call for an inquiry.
“I signify my support kay, ti, ever since amo man na ang akon stand. Consistent kita dira nga we only want to know the truth and at the same time ang accountability,” he told Panay News.
Gorriceta pointed out that the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members of Pavia, Iloilo also expressed concern regarding the two flyovers.
The SB approved the resolution filed by SB member Jose Maria “Pyt” Trimañez requesting Baronda, 1st District’s Cong. Janette Garin, Gorriceta, 3rd District’s Cong. Lorenz Defensor, 4th District’s Cong. Ferjenel Biron, 5th District’s Cong. Raul Tupas, Uswag Ilonggo Party-list’s Rep. James Ang, AAMBIS-OWA’s Rep. Lex Anthony Colada, and Manuel to make representation in Congress to conduct a legislative inquiry in aid of legislation on the construction problem of the Ungka flyover and the delayed construction of Aganan flyover.
Defensor also supports the proposed probe.
“Maayo man ina para dulolongan kita nga masanagan sa explanation sang DPWH,” he said.
He noted that he himself coordinated and got updates from DPWH-6 regarding the two flyovers.
“Ang independent third-party consulting firm lang ang makahambal sang impartial or patas nga pamaagi kon ano gid man ang natabu sa flyover kag kon ano ang husto nga solution para immediately ang DPWH can address that problem together with the contractor,” he added.
Meantime, Ang welcomed the move of Manuel. In fact, he said, he has also been coordinating with the DPWH central office.
Tupas and Garin, on the other hand, have yet to make known their position on the proposed inquiry./PN