Why is the proposal to build a bridge connecting Boracay to the mainland getting flak instead of praise?
The proponents of the infrastructure project in the world-famous tourist spot believe that this public-private partnership (PPP) venture would improve the transport of goods, facilitate waste disposal, and improve emergency response during typhoons and heavy rains.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) website describes the project as “an unsolicited project proposal” with a 1.2-kilometer limited-access bridge infrastructure between Boracay Island, one of the country’s leading tourist destinations, and the main island of Panay, through Malay town.
The bridge is not envisioned to cater solely to vehicular through-traffic, so as not to congest the island, but will be provided with loading/unloading areas on both ends to process the movement of commuters, goods, solid waste, and supplies.
The project also aims to manage the environmental carrying capacity of Boracay Island. This will open up a new all-weather access for vehicles and pedestrians, and encourage people to consider alternative accommodations and activity centers in the mainland.
The bridge is also seen to relieve Boracay from pressures due to overcrowding and overuse of existing facilities, which ultimately produces adverse environmental impact.
Negotiations between the government and the original proponent negotiating teams, according to the DPWH, successfully concluded on July 19 this year. The DPWH described its status as ongoing processing for project approval.
While the project proposal looks good on paper, it is also facing stiff opposition from a segment of the Boracay populace. The municipal government of Malay in Aklan province has yet to receive a formal notice to build a bridge connecting Boracay to the mainland, but a group of boatmen and operators is already opposing the proposed construction, fearing the loss of their livelihood.
The Caticlan-Boracay Transport Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CBTMPC) said their members had taken loans amounting to almost P500 million to invest in 48 fiberglass boats in compliance with the government-mandated modernization rules only to be threatened by a project that could render their investment obsolete. CBTMPC’s membership is composed of at least 500 boatmen and 40 boat owners.
In 2021, CBTMPC members said they had to replace their wooden-hulled boats with fiber-reinforced plastic boats following the termination of their certificate of public convenience. “These boats aren’t just businesses. They are our way of life,” they said.
Given this situation, the national and local governments would do well to sit down to thresh out differences and find a win-win solution that would benefit both sides in the long run.
