DAVAO City Councilor Jessica Bonguyan has requested that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and project contractors be invited to the 21st City Council session to provide updates on the Maa Flyover.
“The goal is not to assign blame, but to ensure better coordination, regular public updates, and the swift, safe completion of a project that directly impacts thousands of life,” Bonguyan said during a privilege speech on Tuesday, August 6, 2025, at the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Bonguyan, who chairs the Committee on Public Works and Highways, said she is formally inviting the DPWH, project contractors, and other involved agencies to the next regular session scheduled for August 12, 2025. She emphasized that Dabawenyos deserve clear roads and clear answers, and that the government must demonstrate that it is listening.
The councilor also raised concerns about the bumper-to-bumper traffic congestion that residents have been experiencing in Maa, noting that this has caused delays for people heading to work, school, and other important appointments.
She pointed out that the project, originally intended to help ease traffic congestion in the city, has now become a “source of daily stress for our community.”
Bonguyan said public frustration reached a “boiling point” when a sign was put up at the construction site claiming that delays were due to the Marcos and Romualdez administrations.
In response, DPWH-Davao issued a statement saying the signage blaming political reasons for the delay is “false and misleading.”
The agency explained that the delays are primarily due to Road Right-of-Way (RROW) issues involving some remaining properties and utilities. Most of these issues have been resolved, while a few are still pending due to the need for settlement funds.
Bonguyan said the sign reflects the public’s growing fatigue and distrust toward the progress of the project. She added that the people are growing tired of the traffic congestion and the prolonged wait for the project's completion.
However, she acknowledged DPWH’s recent statement confirming that the project is fully funded and currently 82.5 percent complete. The agency cited ongoing RROW issues and the relocation of utility poles as the remaining challenges. She expressed gratitude for DPWH’s clarification, saying it highlights the “critical need for clear communication on public projects.”
To recall, DPWH-Davao spokesperson Dean Ortiz shared during a media forum on November 27, 2024, that the Maa Flyover is expected to be completed by late 2026 or early 2027. However, certain portions of the project have experienced delays due to ongoing RROW issues. RGP