San Miguel told to settle Boracay bridge opposition

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has called on San Miguel Holdings Corp. to address all grievances and concerns surrounding the Boracay Bridge Project before further development proceeds.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said Wednesday that discussions had already taken place between San Miguel and the Aklan provincial government before the project was awarded.

The notice of award, signed by Dizon, was issued to San Miguel Holdings Corp., the infrastructure arm of San Miguel Corp., on March 30.

“I was already informed by San Miguel that the provincial government has already been consulted. There have been talks and agreements between the provincial government and San Miguel Corp.,” he said.

As the public-private partnership partner for the project, Dizon said it is primarily the responsibility of San Miguel Holdings Corp. to conduct consultations with local government units, while the department’s role is to facilitate the process.

“I was informed that San Miguel Corp. and the DPWH both did consultations in the past,” he added.

Dizon emphasized that the proposed 2.54-kilometer Boracay Bridge is a “critical infrastructure project that we need to be built.”

The bridge aims to connect Boracay Island to Caticlan on mainland Aklan, providing access for public transport, pedestrians, and bicycles, as well as facilities for solid waste transfer, cargo movement, and utility lines.

Despite being considered a multibillion-peso flagship infrastructure project, Dizon said concerns raised by local communities and officials must be fully addressed.

“We need to assure the residents there and the stakeholders that whatever grievances and concerns [they have]. I told San Miguel Corporation [that] all of those concerns need to be addressed and all those concerns need to be satisfied,” he said.

“I was assured by [San Miguel Corporation chairperson and chief executive officer] Ramon Ang himself that those concerns will be addressed properly,” he added.

The statement comes amid mounting opposition from local government units in Aklan, including the provincial government and the municipality of Malay, which have raised concerns over the lack of consultation and formal endorsement.

The Boracay Bridge Project has drawn national attention as part of broader efforts to improve connectivity to one of the country’s top tourist destinations while balancing environmental protection and local stakeholder concerns.