A bridge from Caticlan to Boracay? Why not?
But a bridge that has a sewage system built into it and can therefore transport via pipes waste water out of Boracay Island to the mainland? That’s pure genius.
San Miguel Corp. president Ramon Ang has proposed the construction of a two-kilometer toll bridge that would connect the island to Aklan, a development that would help Boracay solve its environmental problems. Sewage can be brought off the island while fresh water can be piped in. Also, solid waste can be brought out via trucks off the island instead of being taken out via barges. Imagine the volumes of toxic wastes that have been thrown or have seeped into the waters because of this mode of transporting garbage.
Since as envisioned, the pipes while be part of the bridge design, they would not be underwater and therefore, easier to maintain and to detect and repair leaks. The bridge can also be used to provide Boracay with better, direct access to potable water and other utilities.
But more importantly, the bridge will help decongest Boracay because both tourists and other resort workers no longer have to live in the island. They can just go to Boracay from the mainland to swim or work and then leave at the end of the day. Such a move would also disperse tourism and development to nearby municipalities.
One of the main reasons why Coron in Palawan has been able to maintain in pristine condition many of its public attractions like Kayangan Lake, Malcapuya Island, Twin Lagoon, Barracuda Lake, Banana Island, Siete Pecados, Banol Beach, Bulog Island is because there are no lodging facilities and other permanent structures. The Tagbanwa people would not allow it as Coron Island has been declared their ancestral domain. Hotels and other tourist facilities can be found in Coron town proper.
According to SMC’s chief executive, the development of neighboring areas like Caticlan would boost Aklan’s economy as a whole, while keeping Boracay Island sustainable for generations to come.
SMC operates the Boracay Airport in Caticlan. The airport is being upgraded by extending the runway and building a new passenger terminal. This way, it can accommodate larger aircrafts and direct international flights.
Ang is supporting government initiatives to rehabilitate Boracay even though this would mean losses while the island is closed to tourism.
A bridge connecting Boracay Island to Caticlan will also allow goods and services to be exchanged more frequently and at a shorter period of time. Imagine the multiplier effect this would have on the entire economy of Aklan.
Changes at MGC
By the time this column comes out, the results of Manila Golf Club’s annual election where five new board members and a new president would be chosen would have been announced.
Prior to the elections, Manila Golf was being run by businessman Jose Pepito Alvarez after its president, Perry Pe, relinquished his post.
Running for the five seats to be filled up are George Blaylock, Jimmy Panganiban, Edgar Lee, Arsenic Laurel, Martin Romualdez, Emmanuel Teh, Richie Garcia, Al Panlilio, Maribel Ongpin and Byron Chua. The present leadership of MGC includes Alvarez as president, Garcia as vice president, Aurelio Montinola III as treasurer, Atty. Carlos Ocampo as corporate secretary. The directors are Blaylock, Laurel, Luisa Lorenzo, Stephen Paradies, Romualdez, Henry Sy, Anthony Te, Edward Tiu, and Macario Te and Manuel Lazaro as special board advisers.
Being one of the directors or officers of MGC is power. You get to manage the affairs of the country’s most prestigious and expensive golf club located in probably one of the most valuable parcel of real estate in Makati consisting of 43 hectares for 18 holes (according to club share trader GG&A, there are buyers at P45 million for an individual share, but there are no sellers. A corporate share sells for P48 million. Mind you, this price does not include the transfer fee (around P900,000) and monthly dues (about P13,440 a month) which are paid to the club directly. There are only 600 MGC shares, 566 of which have been issued, 270 of which are individual and 330 are corporate and owned by the Philippines’ richest individuals and business entities.
The power to decide who gets in is however lodged with the members in general, but under the old rules, one that can be exercised by an individual member.
Say someone has P46 million to spend and decides that to really belong and to be able to rub shoulders or elbows with this country’s elite, he has to become a member of MGC. That guy pays for the share and becomes the owner of this trophy called a Manila Golf Club share. But then, if say, in the past, he refused to grant a business loan to one of the MGC members, this disgruntled member can blackball or reject his application. Senator Manny Pacquiao and Chavit Singson had reportedly been blackballed when they tried to join MGC. The reason does not have to be a valid one. Once one member does not like you, then say goodbye to your dreams of “belonging” to this elite group. You own a golf share and yet you are not allowed to be a member, which are two different things.
But then this power to blackball has been abused just recently. According to earlier media reports, one of the more powerful members of MGC blackballed a foreign applicant because the latter refused to give him the P2 million sponsorship for a beauty pageant of which he is a board member. The applicant said that his company’s policies do not allow it so that he would just personally sponsor. But then, he is only willing to give a small amount which was refused. This MGC member is now being investigated.
After the MGC leadership got wind of this, there is now a very important change implemented in the manner by which applications are acted upon. Any application will now have to go through a seven-member committee and if you are able to get five votes, then you are in.
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