MANILA, Philippines — The Division of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will resolve in July the destiny of the P7.95-billion proposal to construct a bridge in Boracay that locals are opposing.
The DPWH is working with the provincial authorities of Aklan in securing the wanted approval for the event of the Boracay Bridge Challenge pitched by San Miguel Corp. (SMC).
Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan mentioned the challenge must be approved first by native leaders earlier than the DPWH opens it up for comparative proposals.
“I feel we’re within the means of finalizing with the native authorities. Truly, the plan of SMC to construct a Boracay bridge was already given preliminary approval,” Bonoan mentioned.
“Nevertheless, earlier than we topic it to a Swiss problem, we wish to discover out first whether or not the challenge is endorsed by native authorities items. Our program is that after the election, we’ve to finalize the association with the LGUs,” he added.
Bonoan mentioned the DPWH would agency up the following steps for the challenge by July to offer SMC sufficient time to deal with the problems raised by stakeholders.
Enterprise group Boracay Basis Inc. (BFI) rejects SMC’s plan to construct the Boracay Bridge, saying the challenge would disrupt marine biodiversity and worsen coastal erosion.
Furthermore, BFI scored SMC for allegedly failing to enhance the Caticlan Airport, the gateway to Boracay, which the corporate operates and maintains by way of Trans Aire Growth Holdings Corp.
BFI desires SMC to prioritize its sources and time in enhancing the Caticlan Airport. The group hopes the airport can be upgraded in such a approach that it could appeal to flights from overseas carriers.
For SMC, constructing the Boracay Bridge between Boracay Island and Caticlan would enhance the move of commerce and journey within the island. Based mostly on the preliminary design, the Boracay Bridge will prolong for two.54 kilometers, of which 1.14 kilometers is a limited-access section.