MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Corp. (SMC)’s P5.48- billion plan to construct a bridge connecting Malay, Aklan to Boracay island is still facing issues with local stakeholders, preventing the project from moving forward.
Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar said SMC’s unsolicited proposal remains pending with the agency due to concerns from the locals as well as the local government.
“All the concerns of the locals must be addressed first. They have concerns about the environment and how the vehicles that will go to Boracay will be managed,” Villar said.
Villar, who last June said that SMC
may soon receive the original proponent status (OPS), said he cannot provide at this point an estimate as to when the project would likely be cleared by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“For us, we continue with the project vetting. We can’t give a set timeline because it will really depend on when the local government and the locals feel that their (SMC) proposal is already acceptable,” he said.
“But we are still open to it. But of course, we need to talk with the stakeholders, they can’t be taken for granted,” Villar said.
The DPWH earlier affirmed that SMC submitted the complete proposal of the Boracay bridge project in January.
Once DPWH clears the project and awards the OPS to SMC, the unsolicited proposal will then be forwarded to the National Economic and Development Authority for evaluation before proceeding with a Swiss challenge.
SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang earlier said the bridge infrastructure proposal is “the most important project” for the country’s flagship tourist destination.
“That Boracay bridge project is the most important component to save Boracay. It needs to be pushed to be approved by the government,” he said.
Plagued by environmental issues, Boracay island was closed to tourists for six months last year for a rehabilitation of rental infrastructure projects.
It reopened on Oct. 26 and now follows a carrying capacity to ensure the sustainability of the island.
SMC said the Boracay bridge project is not envisioned to cater to vehicular through-traffic so as not to congest the island, but will be provided with loading and unloading areas on both ends to process the movement of commuters, solid waste, goods and supplies.
The project aims to facilitate provision of a public transport access system, transport of solid waste and cargo through authorized trucks, as well as carriage of power, telecommunication, water supply and sewer utility lines.
Once constructed, the project is seen to manage the environmental carrying capacity of Boracay island and free-up it from pressures due to over-crowding and overuse of existing facilities which produces adverse environmental impact.
It is also expected to open-up a new all-weather access for vehicles and pedestrians which would encourage people to consider alternative accommodations and activity centers at the mainland.