BUILD OR BACK OFF?: Boracay Bridge’s Fate Hinges on Aklan Gov’t Approval

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The fate of the proposed PHP8 billion Boracay bridge now rests with the Aklan provincial government, amid growing concerns over its impact on the environment, tourism, and local livelihoods.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the unsolicited proposal from San Miguel Corp. (SMC) must first secure the endorsement of local leaders before moving forward.

“I think we are in the process of finalizing with the local government. Actually, the plan of SMC to build a Boracay bridge was already given initial approval,” Bonoan said in a report by Philstar.com.

“However, before we subject it to a Swiss challenge, we want to find out first whether the project is endorsed by local government units. Our program is that after the election, we have to finalize the arrangement with the LGUs,” he added.

The DPWH is targeting July to finalize the project’s next steps, allowing SMC time to address concerns raised by residents and environmental advocates.

The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center website shows that the project is currently undergoing a comparative challenge process.

In January, the DPWH formally invited rival bids after receiving an unsolicited proposal from San Miguel Holdings Corp. (SMHC), a subsidiary of SMC, to finance, design, build, operate, and maintain the bridge.

SMHC had been granted Original Proponent Status (OPS), allowing the launch of a Swiss challenge for competing bids from local and international firms.

The DPWH clarified that the procurement will use a single-stage bidding system, requiring the submission of technical and financial proposals in one envelope to streamline the process.

Local opposition grows

Despite national backing under the government’s infrastructure program, the project faces opposition in Boracay due to environmental, economic, and cultural concerns.

Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI) questioned SMC’s capacity to manage large infrastructure projects and flagged the lack of consultation with local stakeholders.

In a resolution, BFI cited SMC’s ongoing management of the Caticlan International Airport, which it said remains underdeveloped despite Boracay’s reputation as a top global destination.

“SMC [should first provide] substantial improvements to the Caticlan International Airport, which has yet to meet the standards expected of a gateway to Boracay Island, before moving forward with any large-scale infrastructure projects such as the bridge,” the foundation said.

BFI also noted the absence of adequate consultation on how the bridge could affect the island’s ecology, infrastructure, and economy.

While the group acknowledged some potential logistical benefits, it emphasized that environmental risks, reputational damage, and unresolved infrastructure issues outweigh any advantages.

In October 2024, the Caticlan Boracay Transport Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CBTMPC) held a motorcade opposing the project.

Local boat operators said the bridge would displace around 500 boatmen and 40 boat owners providing ferry services between Caticlan and Boracay.

SMHC submitted its proposal in 2018 and was granted OPS in May 2021.

Following the enactment of Republic Act No. 11966, or the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Code of the Philippines, negotiations between SMHC and DPWH began on Feb. 21, 2024, and concluded successfully on July 19, 2024.

OPS was reconfirmed to SMHC on Aug. 15, 2024.

Under the proposal, SMHC will operate the project for 30 years from the start of operations.

The proposed bridge will span approximately 2.54 kilometers and include a limited-access road system with transport facility hubs on both ends.

These hubs will house commercial spaces for lease, parking areas, and public transport terminals for vehicles traveling between Boracay and the mainland.

Once completed, the Boracay Bridge is expected to provide an all-weather access route for vehicles and pedestrians, reduce reliance on boat travel, and improve mobility between Boracay Island and Caticlan.

The DPWH said it also hopes the project will encourage tourists to stay on the mainland, helping ease congestion and environmental stress on Boracay.