Boardwalk project, among others, break ground in Olango

CEBU, Philippines — Lapu-Lapu City officials led the groundbreaking of various projects in Olango Island intended to make the lives of the residents better, including a boardwalk between two barangays.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan and Lapu-Lapu City Lone District Representative Cindi King Chan, accompanied by City Council members and barangay officials in Olango and Pangan-an Island led the groundbreaking of a boardwalk in Sitio Suba up to its neighboring barangay in Pangan-an Island last Friday.

According to the mayor, the area on Pangan-an Island is accessible only during low tide, posing significant risks when the tide rises. The boardwalk is for the students’ safe and easy crossing of the channel to attend their classes on Olango Island.

He said he recognized the urgent need for a safer and more reliable connection between the barangays.

The soon-to-be-constructed boardwalk or bridge is also seen to alleviate the quality of life for the residents and attract more tourists to the island as it becomes more accessible.

As per the proposal, access to the bridge will be limited to hikers, joggers, and bicycle riders, prioritizing environmental conservation by avoiding disturbances to domestic animals and birds in the nearby sanctuary.

The congresswoman has already allocated a budget of ?50 million for phase 1 of this project under the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA) and another ?63 million for phase 2 under the 2024 GAA.

In her speech, Chan highlighted that the students, especially those from Pangan-an, no longer have to worry about the risks they currently face because they can soon easily cross to Olango Island through a safer and faster route.

She also said it will also attract more local and foreign tourists to visit the island because it is now accessible to everyone, and rescue operations will be made more accessible during emergencies.

The Chan couple also led the inauguration of the mini City Hall roads and the newly-built City Veterinary Satellite Office.

They also graced the inauguration and turnover ceremony of a newly built four-story eight-classroom school building in the Sabang Elementary School, and two newly-constructed activity centers for music, arts, physical education, and health (MAPEH) at the Tungasan Elementary School and the Nemesio-Epefania Taneo Memorial National High School.

The congresswoman also spearheaded the inauguration ceremony of the newly-built multi-purpose building in Sitio Kauswagan, Barangay Baring, and conducted the turnover ceremony of the 6.5-kilometer road asphalting project between Barangays Sta. Rosa, Tingo, and Baring. (CEBU NEWS)