The bridge that could save Boracay
San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has urged government to approve its P5.5-billion unsolicited proposal to build a bridge between Boracay Island and the main Island of Panay, Aklan.
“The Boracay bridge is the most important component to save Boracay,” said Ramon Ang, SMC president and chief operating officer.
Ang told reporters in a sideline interview in Clark on Wednesday the Boracay bridge project would help address issues in the island such as flooding and sewage management.
“The Boracay bridge is the most important component to save Boracay,” he added.
The bridge can be a carriage of power telecommunication, water supply and sewer utility lines.
Ang said SMC could put a sewerage pipe and another pipe for drainage to transfer the waste from Boracay to Aklan for water treatment.
Fresh water will be transported to Caticlan through a pipe that will be installed under the bridge, he added.
Last January, the Department of Public Works and Highway s (DPWH) confirmed the completeness of the proposal but the company is yet to be awarded original proponent status (OPS) for the project.
Ang said “there are some people opposed the project for personal reasons.”
“We should set aside those personal reasons,” he added without elaborating.
The DPWH said the project is still under evaluation but is hopeful the OPS will be awarded within the year.
Of the P5.5 billion project cost, P4.4 billion will be spent for construction and P1.1 billion for right-of-way, according to the DPWH.
SMC expects the project to free up Boracay Island from pressures due to overcrowding and overuse of existing facilities which ultimately produces adverse environmental impact as the bridge is expected to encourage people to consider alternative accommodation and activity centers in the mainland of Panay.
SMC through TransAire Development Holding Corp. operates the Boracay Airport in Caticlan, the major gateway to Boracay.
Source: Malaya Business Insight