BROKEN HANDSHAKE: Aklan guv stands by Boracay Bridge cancellation claim despite Ang’s denial

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The provincial government of Aklan is standing by its claim that San Miguel Corp. (SMC) Chair and Chief Executive Officer Ramon Ang verbally confirmed the cancellation of the proposed Boracay Bridge Project during a May 13 meeting with provincial officials, despite the business executive’s subsequent denial.

In a May 28 Facebook post, Provincial Board Member and former vice governor Atty. Reynaldo “Boy” Quimpo detailed the meeting held at the SMC headquarters in Mandaluyong City.

Quimpo said the meeting was attended by Aklan Gov. Jose Enrique “Joen” Miraflores, Aklan 1st District Rep. Jesus R. Marquez, Aklan 2nd District Rep. Florencio T. Miraflores, and two SMC executives, including Atty. Jing Jing de Castro.

“After about more than one hour of interaction, sensing and hearing our steadfast stand against the Boracay Bridge project, Mr. Ramon S. Ang, categorically and repeatedly, declared ‘kung talagang ayaw ninyo, hindi ko na itutuloy ang project’ (If you don’t really want it, I will not push through with the project),” Quimpo wrote.

Quimpo recalled that the Aklan officials shook hands with Ang following the statement.

The board member, one of the most vocal opponents of the bridge project within the provincial government, issued the statement a day after Ang told GMA News Online that reports about the cancellation were “not true.”

A report by Bilyonaryo also quoted Ang as denying the cancellation, saying, “I don’t know why they said that.”

The May 13 meeting was reportedly arranged following discussions with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who earlier met with Aklan officials during a private lunch in Roxas City on April 27.

On May 27, Gov. Miraflores confirmed that Ang made a verbal declaration during the May 13 meeting that the bridge project would no longer proceed because of strong opposition from local stakeholders.

The governor said provincial officials opted to withhold the announcement until a stakeholders’ briefing could be conducted.

“That was May 13, we already wanted to immediately release that, but we also wanted that we will report it as a community. This is the perfect date (May 27) that we had a schedule because we also want that all of you [are here] so that we can also relay the good news,” he said.

The proposed Boracay Bridge Project has drawn mixed reactions from residents, tourism stakeholders, and environmental advocates.

Concerns raised include environmental sustainability, traffic management, and the long-term impact on Boracay Island’s ecological balance.