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THREATENED. Passengers going to and from Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan, board a fiber boat — one of the modes of transport that locals fear will be displaced if the Boracay Bridge Project pushes through.
Rjay Castor
'In the end, nag-agree na rin siya na hindi na lang itutuloy yung Boracay Bridge. He listens. Ramon Ang listens...,' says Aklan Governor Joen Miraflores after a meeting with the SMC chief
ILOILO CITY, Philippines – Public opposition and local government resistance have prompted San Miguel Holdings Corporation (SMHC) to drop its proposed Boracay Bridge Project, a P7.78-billion infrastructure plan that drew concerns over environmental impacts and the displacement of local transport workers.
Aklan Governor Jose Enrique “Joen” Miraflores confirmed the development during a stakeholders’ meeting in Boracay Island on Wednesday, May 27.
The announcement came after the governor, 2nd District Representative Florencio “Joeben” Miraflores, 1st District Representative Jesus “Jess” Marquez, and Provincial Board Member Reynaldo “Boy” Quimpo, met with Ang on May 13 at the corporate headquarters of San Miguel Corp. (SMC) in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.
Miraflores said Ang acknowledged the strong opposition to the 2.54-kilometer bridge project that will connect the world-renowned Boracay Island to the mainland in the town of Malay, Aklan.
“Sa pag-uusap namin, medyo na ano rin siya. He knows na malakas yung opposition… Nakikita nila yung ginagawa sa social media. They know talaga yung opposition nation dito sa Boracay and Aklan,” he said.
(Based on our talks, he knows the opposition is strong. They see what’s being done on social media. They know the opposition to it here in Boracay and Aklan.)
The governor said the delegation raised concerns over the possible displacement of tricycle drivers and boat operators at the Caticlan Jetty Port, as well as environmental issues tied to the project.
After a meeting that lasted more than an hour, Miraflores said Ang eventually yielded to the sentiments of the local government and stakeholders.
“In the end, nag-agree na rin siya na hindi na lang itutuloy yung Boracay Bridge. He listens. Ramon Ang listens. And of course, hindi lang dahil sa amin, dahil sa inyo ‘yan. Because of you, because of the opposition made, yung noise na ginawa ninyo, lahat kayo,” Miraflores emphasized.
(In the end, he agreed not to continue the Boracay Bridge. He listens. Ramon Ang lisens. And of course, not just to us but to you. Because of you, because of the opposition, the noise you all made, all of you.)
According to the governor, Ang also emphasized that SMC did not want “conflict” with the local community and wanted to show respect for the sentiments of stakeholders in Boracay and Aklan despite the company’s support for development initiatives on the island.
“For us, this is really a win for all of us. Because you napaabot natin talaga sa kanya na we are not for this bridge. Maaring maapektuhan, maraming talagang magiging problema later on,” he stressed.
(For us, this is really a win for all of us. Because of you we were able to convey to him that we are not for this bridge. The possible impact, there will really be problems later on.)
Miraflores said he hopes SMC will formally relay its decision to the Department of Public Works and Highways to provide “closure” to the project. The DPWH awarded the project to SMHC, the infrastructure arm of SMC, on March 30.
The governor added that Ang is committed to continuing the upgrades and modernization of the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport or Caticlan Airport.
SMC acquired a majority stake in Caticlan International Airport and Development Corporation in 2010. Through its subsidiary, Trans Aire Development Holdings Corp., SMC currently holds a 25-year contract to operate the airport.
The project includes phased upgrades such as improving the existing terminal, upgrading airport facilities, extending the runway, and installing navigational and air traffic control aids.
The runway will be extended from 900 meters to 2.1 kilometers in order to accommodate Airbus 320 jetliners and other aircraft that will bring in more international tourists.
The estimated project cost, based on SMC’s approved unsolicited proposal, is P2.51 billion. –Rappler.com
