DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 6 Aug) — Councilor Jessica M. Bonguyan expressed her dismay over the prolonged delays in the Ma-a Flyover project, stating that it “seems to have no end in sight.” During her privilege speech at the city council’s regular session on Tuesday, Bonguyan, chairperson of the committee on public works, highlighted that the two-year delay has become a daily source of stress and frustration for the community. “Thousands are stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic, wasting fuel and time, and arriving late to work, school, and important appointments,” she said. “This is not a construction delay; it’s a public grievance,” she emphasized. Reporters noted that no ongoing construction was visible during their visit to the site, but Dean Ortiz, spokesperson of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Region XI, explained that construction is conducted only at night to avoid worsening traffic during peak hours. Ortiz confirmed that the upper portion of the flyover would resume construction in September upon the arrival of railings, with the DPWH currently focusing on concreting the northbound portion as part of the widening phase. He also acknowledged delays caused by the acquisition of four properties and reiterated that the flyover, now 82.5% complete, is slated for completion by the second quarter of 2026. Bonguyan urged the city council to convene as a Committee of the Whole to formally inquire about the project’s status, emphasizing that the goal is to ensure better coordination, regular public updates, and timely completion. (Razl EJ Teman / MindaNews)
