Months after the opening and immediate closure of the most controversial superstructure project in Iloilo, the Ungka Flyover and the hiring of a third-party consultantancy firm to investigate what caused the displacement of the pier, the verdict is finally out. All piers are sinking with at least five to six piers sinking up to 24 inches in a span of 11 months.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-6) Assistant Regional Director Al Fruto has hinted of a possible destruction of at least four piers in order to arrest further damages to the superstructure and reconstruct anew. Sadly, based on the announcements and calculations made, the corrective measures will cost P250 million of taxpayers money.

It’s unfortunate. The huge amount of corrective measures will be bidded soon. P250 million is such a huge amount of money which could be used to address the lack of classrooms in public schools around Iloilo or construct additional farm to market roads that could be more useful to farmers.

On the other hand, the contractor, Iloilo Builders Corp. (IBC) while may not be completely off the hook as to responsibilities of the failed project could not be blamed entirely. As a matter of principle, contractors only work based on the approved plan. The weight of the problem is on the shoulders of DPWH and the consultant they have hired prior the approval of the plan. Its them who have failed to do their homework diligently.

Given the current problem, the very same people who paid for their taxes properly in order to fund the operations of the government will have to suffer and carry the burden. Its like being grilled on their own oil as the money that will be used to repair the flyover will be charged to the taxes they have paid while they suffer and continue to brave the severe traffic along Ungka area every day.

In the meantime, we can only call for accountability. Who will answer to the mess created and whose head will roll? Some individuals have threatened to file charges. Perhaps, a class suit participated and filed by all the affected people of Iloilo will do. Without asking for accountability, the same mistakes will continue and the same crooks will stay and run the show.