DENR assures public input on Boracay Bridge review

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor 

Amid mounting resistance to the Boracay Bridge project, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said public consultations will be part of the environmental review once an application is formally filed.

DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said during a press conference on Friday, April 24, that San Miguel Holdings Corp. (SMHC) has not yet filed an environmental application for the proposed bridge.

He explained that if an application for an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) is submitted, the review process will include mandatory public consultations.

An ECC ensures that community concerns and stakeholder feedback are integrated into the project’s design and mitigation strategies before the DENR makes a final decision.

“Part of the process, if there is in fact an application filed for, an ECC for instance, part of the process will include public consultation. That will be part of the process; those who will participate, their comments, and their inputs will be taken into consideration,” he said.

Asked whether the project would receive different treatment given opposition from the provincial government of Aklan and the local government of Malay, Cuna said it is too early to determine.

“We will only be able to determine that once a project description is submitted with the details, and then there is going to be an invitation for a technical scoping meeting to determine the different facts of the proposed project, including the design,” he said.

He added that once consultations are scheduled, stakeholders such as local government units, residents, and concerned sectors will be able to raise their views, inputs, and objections.

The DENR is tasked with ensuring that all infrastructure projects comply with the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System.

The agency is the sole authority for issuing an ECC, which certifies that a project proponent has met environmental impact assessment requirements and committed to mitigating potential adverse effects.

Before construction can begin, the DENR must validate technical reports and environmental management plans to ensure the project will not jeopardize Boracay’s fragile ecological balance.

The agency must also ensure the project aligns with the development framework set by the local government unit of Malay, Aklan, and does not bypass local environmental ordinances.

Under Administrative Order No. 2025-36, the DENR has imposed stricter protocols for Boracay, requiring that any proposed development strictly comply with the island’s approved land use, zoning, and environmental carrying capacity.

‘Patent disregard’

On April 15, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan passed a resolution denouncing the Department of Public Works and Highways for approving the Boracay Bridge project.

The provincial board argued that the contract awarded to SMHC was granted without the legally required consent from municipal and provincial authorities.

It added that despite widespread opposition, the continued implementation of the project allegedly violates provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991, which require prior consultation and approval from local sanggunians for national government projects.

“The continued pursuit of the Boracay Bridge Project, notwithstanding the foregoing objections, constitutes a patent disregard of local government authority, a circumvention of legally mandated processes, and an affront to the collective will of the people of Malay, in particular, and the people of Aklan, in general,” it emphasized.

The resolution warned of “grave” consequences if the project proceeds, including irreparable damage to Boracay’s fragile ecosystem and changes to the island’s character as a world-class destination.

“For us Aklanons, the paradise island of Boracay, acclaimed worldwide for its stunning, powdery white sand beaches, pristine crystal clear turquoise waters, and magnificent sunsets, is not only the Philippines’ top tourists beach destination, it is our home, the source of our immense pride and valuable resource, to be zealously safeguarded, preserved and protected for future generations of Aklanons,” it added.

Beyond environmental concerns, provincial leaders warned of a potential collapse of local livelihood systems.

They said the project could lead to losses in jetty port revenue and displace thousands of transport workers, port personnel, and support service workers.

Several transport groups, including the Caticlan Boracay Transport Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Malay Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association, Boracay Land and Sea-Port Boat Transport Association, and Malay Ports Services Multi-Purpose Cooperative, have also expressed strong opposition.