MALAY, Aklan — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has awarded the ₱7.78-billion Boracay bridge project to San Miguel Holdings Corp. (SMHC), drawing opposition from local officials, transport groups, and environmental advocates.
The contract for the proposed 2.54-kilometer bridge, a major infrastructure plan in Malay, Aklan, that would directly connect Barangay Caticlan to the premier tourist destination Boracay Island, was finalized last March 25.
It covers the design, financing, and construction of the bridge intended to ease access to Boracay, which has long been dependent on boat transport.
The DPWH has positioned the project as a solution to logistical constraints, but it has drawn opposition from various sectors. “Boracay is a gift from nature. Save her from corporate greed” is the statement highlighted in a petition opposing the project that has circulated among residents.
According to the DPWH and SMHC, a key subsidiary of corporate giant San Miguel Corp. which operates the Caticlan airport, the bridge is a key component of the project. The proposed design is not just for vehicles but includes utility conduits meant to streamline solid waste haulage and water systems, which they identified as critical infrastructure needs for the densely populated resort island.
Under the plan, two lanes dedicated to public transport and service vehicles, as well as sidewalks and side lanes for pedestrians, will be built.
Transport cooperative
The proposed bridge poses potential economic risks for the Caticlan-Boracay Transport Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CBTMPC), which operates passenger boats serving as the main transport link to the island.
The cooperative is currently repaying a ₱135-million loan used to modernize its fleet, including fiberglass boats valued at up to ₱9 million each.
“CBTMPC is not a business, it is a livelihood,” Godofredo Sadiasa, former chair and current consultant of the cooperative, said in an interview with CoverStory.ph.
Sadiasa said members currently earn between ₱1,500 and ₱2,800 per day, and their income could be affected if demand for boat transport declines.
He called the proposed shift away from marine transport a “deep insult” to workers who have invested heavily in compliance with government transport modernization programs.
Local business perspective
A souvenir shop owner, who requested anonymity to avoid possible business repercussions, said the bridge could benefit large businesses by potentially increasing tourist arrivals. She said her sales are also closely tied to the volume of visitors in the area.
But while larger businesses may benefit from improved logistics, small-scale operators and transport workers could face an uncertain future.
A project information memorandum outlines a “user-pays” toll system for bridge access.
Based on preliminary estimates, current ferry fares of around ₱60 (one-way) could be significantly lower than projected bridge tolls under earlier pricing models, though final rates have not been confirmed.
The memorandum states that residents and workers may be subjected to a different fee structure upon presentation of valid identification, and that tourists would continue to pay the environmental and terminal fees set by the local government. “Tourists” are defined as persons who are neither residents nor employees of Boracay.
Some stakeholders said higher access costs could affect daily workers and discourage budget travelers if not properly regulated.
Carrying capacity
Environmental concerns remain central to the debate over the project.
Marine science agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the United Nations Environment Programme, have documented in general studies that large-scale coastal construction can lead to sedimentation, which may damage coral reefs by blocking sunlight and affecting marine ecosystems.
Christian Velasco, a former hotel worker familiar with the area, cited coral formations in the Caticlan-Boracay channel as an area of concern.
“While improving transport access may address logistical concerns, such developments could come at the cost of ecological sustainability,” Velasco said.
A carrying-capacity study (Ecoplan) prepared for the Department of Tourism states that development must be guided by environmental limits. It defines carrying capacity as “the level of use…beyond which unacceptable impacts will occur.”
It further states that planning should determine “what kind of change is acceptable” in relation to environmental conditions, infrastructure pressure, and visitor experience.
Stakeholders said a fixed bridge connection could add pressure to Boracay’s already strained environmental and infrastructure systems if not carefully managed.
Government response
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said the DPWH recognizes the need to address concerns raised by local stakeholders.
“The DPWH is here to help facilitate, but it is very important that the concerns of local stakeholders—especially the province and the municipality of Malay—are addressed. I was assured by SMHC, particularly by Mr. Ramon Ang, that these concerns will be addressed properly,” Dizon said.
He said the bridge is intended to support environmental management on the island by improving the transport of solid and liquid waste, which is currently done by boat.
Project proponents said the development will comply with existing regulations, including Administrative Order 2025-36, which requires adherence to approved land use, zoning, and environmental carrying capacity limits in Boracay.
However, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said that as of April, SMHC has not yet filed an application for a new environmental compliance certificate, or ECC, a key requirement before major infrastructure projects can proceed.
The absence of an ECC application means the project has yet to undergo the full environmental impact assessment process required under Philippine law.
As the project moves forward, divisions among stakeholders take firm shape.
Government agencies emphasize potential improvements in infrastructure and service delivery, and many residents, transport workers, and business owners raise concerns over possible livelihood disruption, environmental impact, and access costs. CS
