Bacolod City Administrator Roger Balo yesterday said the suspension of the P400-million flyover projects in Iloilo City will definitely delay the implementation of similar projects in Bacolod City.

The Department of Public Works and Highways Central Office recently suspended the project contract with Mabey and Johnson Limited for the contractor's alleged non-compliance of the contract in the construction of the flyover. Mabey and Johnson, a British engineering firm that specializes in bridging, steel fabrication and construction products, used materials that do not conform with the specifications stated in the contract. It allegedly failed to meet the minimum strength requirements for the reinforcing steel bars of the flyover's pier.

Balo said that because of this development, the proposed construction of the flyover projects in Bacolod City will be delayed since the contractor of the flyover project in Iloilo will be the same team that will come to Bacolod.

The proposed flyover projects to be constructed at the junction of Burgos-Lacson streets and Lacson-North Drive in Bacolod is under the President's Bridge Program.

Balo said he sent the DPWH a letter signed by Mayor Evelio Leonardia last month following up the work schedule of the flyover in Bacolod because there is a need for a memorandum of agreement to be signed between the Mayor, the DPWH and the contractor.

They also have to do preparatory works like traffic re-routing and clearing so there will be no impediments in the work, he said.

Balo said there is a possibility that because of the contractor's non-compliance of the contract, DPWH will lose confidence on the construction firm. He said if the DPWH gets another flyover contractor to do the project this will cause a delay on the remaining flyover projects especially in Mindanao.

Balo said out of the 10 flyover projects under the President's Bridge Program, three have already been completed in Luzon.

DPWH regional director Eng. Rolando Asis said the project in Iloilo is 90 percent completed. He said based on the latest information they have received, the flyover projects in Bacolod will continue.

However, he said the construction in Bacolod will be started only once the flyovers in Iloilo have been completed.

Asis said that although the contractor of the flyover in Iloilo did not follow the contract agreement, the structure is still safe for passage but may collapse in case of earthquakes if necessary corrections are not made on its foundations.

The flyovers in Iloilo, which stretches 305 linear meters with a standard capacity of 20 tons, was started in April 2007 yet and was supposed to be finished within 120 calendar days. These are located along Gen. Luna and M.H Del Pilar streets.

Meanwhile, the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod approved Wednesday a resolution requesting Leonardia to direct the City Engineer's Office to install visible signs or marks on accident prone areas in the city for the protection of the public. The resolution was authored by Councilor Catalino Alisbo.*CGS

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