Malay LGU Drops Support for Boracay Bridge Plan

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The local government of Malay has officially withdrawn its endorsement of the proposed 1.2-kilometer bridge project connecting mainland Aklan to Boracay Island.

The Sangguniang Bayan of Malay passed a resolution on June 19 removing the proposed bridge from the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Annual Investment Plan.

The resolution also directed the bridge project be excluded from other development plans of the local government.

The CLUP serves as a local government unit’s official long-term land use and development blueprint, guiding zoning, environmental protection, and infrastructure decisions.

The AIP outlines the LGU’s planned expenditures and investments for the year, including infrastructure projects.

National agencies like the Department of Public Works and Highways require that major infrastructure projects align with the LGU’s CLUP and AIP before proceeding.

The project’s removal poses a major challenge to its proponents, signaling a need for deeper stakeholder engagement and reassessment of its impacts before any further progress.

In the resolution, the Malay council stressed that while it is committed to development, “the socio-economic impacts of the bridge have not been sufficiently studied.”

It noted that the bridge’s construction poses significant environmental risks, including potential damage to marine habitats, coastal erosion, and disruption of the island’s fragile ecosystem, which could lead to long-term degradation.

The council also cited concerns from residents, business owners, and environmental advocates about over-tourism, pressure on infrastructure, and potential displacement of local communities and livelihoods.

“There has been enormous opposition from various stakeholders, including the Boracay Foundation Inc., civil society organizations, environmental groups, tourism representatives, and residents, who have expressed strong objections to the proposed project due to its potential adverse effects,” the resolution read.

Local legislators also said the lack of genuine, inclusive public consultation violates principles of participatory governance.

The council urged the Municipal Development Council to reconsider the bridge’s necessity and prioritize sustainable, community-supported alternatives that protect Boracay’s environment and socio-economic stability.

It also recommended a thorough, transparent, and participatory environmental and social impact assessment for any similar future infrastructure project, ensuring consultation with all stakeholders, including local communities, environmental experts, and businesses.

The unsolicited Boracay bridge proposal was submitted by San Miguel Corp. with an estimated cost of PHP8.01 billion.

The project is undergoing a comparative challenge process facilitated by the Public-Private Partnership Center, which began Feb. 25 and ends July 15.