Improved Boracay Circumferential Road opens to the public

Tourists, both foreign and local can now enjoy a faster and more comfortable access to various areas in Boracay Island with the opening of the improved Boracay Circumferential Road.

Secretary Mark A. Villar of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) recently led the inauguration of the 8.73-kilometer portion of the 21.643-kilometer Improvement/Rehabilitation of Boracay Circumferential Road project on December 4, 2020.

The inauguration was attended by DPWH officials headed by Regional Director Lea N. Delfinado and OIC-Assistant Regional Director Jose Al V. Fruto, along with Aklan Governor Florencio T. Miraflores, Aklan 2^nd Legislative District Congressman Teodorico T. Haresco, Jr., and Malay Acting-Mayor Frolibar S. Bautista.

The completed portions include: Phase 1 with the length of 4.47 kilometers, which involves improvement of road from Cagban Port to Hue Hotel, from Hue Hotel to Elizalde, and construction of missing gap (Bolabog Dramatic Road) leading to Bolabog Beach; and Phase 2 with the total length of 3.362 kilometers to include improvement of road from Elizalde to Ambassador, from Ambassador to City Mall, and from Tambisa-an Port to Rotonda, both funded under FY 2018 budget.

Also, the improvement of the 800-meter Laketown is already completed in the amount P50 Million funded under FY 2019.

The project involves concreting/widening of the existing road; construction of drainage system; construction of sidewalks with paving blocks/stamped concrete; and provision of street lighting, tree planting (potted plants) and sprigging, pavement markings, loading/unloading bays, and access for persons with disabilities. Also included in the project is the relocation of the existing electric and telecommunications poles and lines, and demolition/clearing of encroachments within the established 12-meter road right-of-way.

The DPWH, in convergence with Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), also completed the improvement of Boracay Wetland No. 4 re-development project in the amount of P24.55 Million.

“Almost half of the entire 21.64-kilometer Boracay Circumferential Road has been improved and we are set to undertake the remaining 11.68 kilometers in the coming years to bring further transport relief to both locals and visitors of Boracay Island,” Secretary Villar said during the inauguration.

Regional Director Lea N. Delfinado said that a total amount of P1.85 billion is required to complete the whole stretch of Boracay Circumferential Road and through Secretary Mark A. Villar’s effort, P890 million was already released since May 2018.

Delfinado added that DPWH has proposed to implement the improvement Bolabog 24/7 road to Ati village boardwalk, and improvement of Tambisa-an Port and Boracay Jetty Port junction to Cagban Port under its FY 2021 budget in the amount of P237 Million.

Once completed, the Boracay Circumferential Road will reduce travel time from Cagban Port in Brgy. Manoc-Manoc to Ilig-Iligan Beach in Brgy. Yapak by 40-45 minutes from the usual 1-hour 30-minute travel.

“We are hopeful that better roads will make Boracay more appealing to tourists and more beneficial to islanders,” Secretary Villar said. (DPWH-6/RPAIO)