road right-of-way

• City Council creates ad hoc committee to oversee Ma-a Flyover Project

THE 21ST City Council on Tuesday formed an ad hoc committee to oversee and coordinate with stakeholders to fast-track the Ma-a-Magtoud Flyover Project, which encountered roadblocks related to road right-of-way (RROW) issues.

Councilor Diosdado Angelo Mahipus Jr. proposed the measure on Aug. 19 during the deliberation of the flyover, along with officials of the Davao Light, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) XI, contractors, and telecommunication companies.

Councilor Jessica Bonguyan, the committee chair on public works and highways, will chair the ad hoc body, with co-chairman Councilor Louie John Bonguyan, energy and water chair, and members Councilor Sweet Advincula, Luna Acosta, and Jose Mari Baluran.

Mahipus said the committee will closely monitor and ensure smooth coordination of the project, hopefully to finally settle the right-of-way issues.

On Tuesday’s session, Enriczar Tia, Davao Light president and chief operating officer, reported a 77.42% completion of the pole relocation of the first phase covering ZPG Heavy Equipment corner NHA Ma-a, and Francis Church-Woodridge-Woodlane-Alsons-Caltex-Garden Republic.

Of this, 13 poles were relocated, one relocated, but the remaining pole was cut to telco level, eight poles were removed, two poles were not affected, and seven poles have RROW concerns.

Meanwhile, for the second phase, from My Gas-Diversion road facing Toril, the completion rate is 81.82% where 7 out of 11 poles relocated, two poles removed, while two poles remain and cannot be relocated due to RROW.

In the third phase, the hole digging for the 95-foot steel poles is ongoing. However, there are remaining holes that cannot be excavated due to inaccessibility and a private property under RROW concern.

Tia reported that Davao Light needs to be careful in implementing a specific line that is affected by RROW since it is the main line connecting National Grid Corporation of the Philippines to the Bajada substation- the station that serves the whole Metropolis Davao.

“We are very cautious in interrupting that line, because to interrupt it will interrupt all of the customers from Matina going to Panacan,” he said.

Tia recognized that the DPWH has been communicating that the right of way is already resolved, but he emphasized that they need the land to be developed for them to enter the area, dig, and then erect the poles eventually.

Meanwhile, for the 45-foot concrete poles, 6 out of 11 poles are ready for hole digging, but not feasible for erection due to non-compact soil and uneven ground levels, hindering proper equipment placement.

He added that four poles are affected by RROW, and one pole remains inaccessible due to ongoing drainage excavation.

“Transferring the poles is one thing, and transferring the line is also another thing, because that requires a power interruption. To install the poles, we can install them without affecting our customers, but to transfer the line, we need to interrupt our customers,” he said.

He said they can relocate all the affected poles in two months, assuming all RROW issues are resolved. 

Tia said there will be three sets of interruptions, at ten hours each, within those two months. So, they have to time it properly to ensure minimal impacts to businesses.

“We have to be specific on the date, and we are bound by ERC to announce our interruptions at least 7 days, so hindi pwedeng we schedule it and then we move it, we need to be fixed when we can interrupt,” he said.

Representatives from Globe and PLDT said they are reliant on Davao Light procedures.

DPWH XI spokesperson Dean Ortiz said they are committed to pushing for the construction of the bridge at the soonest possible time, but are dependent on the pole relocation.

“In this case, under circumstances that the Davao Light cited that they would be able to move the poles within the next two to three months, then our commitment to finish the flyover structure will also be moved in three months subsequently, that’s in March (2026),” Ortiz said.

Following the discussion, Mahipus manifested the need for the creation of the committee as the DPWH, Davao Light, and the Telcos recognized the need for smoother coordination. DPWH and Davao Light agreed to conduct an ocular inspection in the construction area on Aug. 20.