San Miguel completes submission of Boracay bridge proposal
MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Corp. on Friday confirmed it submitted to the government a proposal to build a Boracay bridge that would allow “land-base access” to the the world famous tourist destination.
In a disclosure the stock exchange, SMC said the Department of Public Works and Highways on Jan. 29, 2019 “confirmed” the completeness of the company’s unsolicited proposal.
According to information published on the DPWH’s website, SMC’s offer to build a 1.2-km. limited-access bridge infrastructure between Boracay Island and the main island of Panay (Malay, Aklan) is under evaluation.
The P5.48-billion Boracay bridge will be undertaken by San Miguel Holdings Corp., SMC’s infrastructure unit.
“The bridge is not envisioned to cater vehicular through-traffic, so as not to congest the island, but will be provided with loading/unloading areas on both ends to process the movement of commuters, solid waste, goods and supplies,” the DPWH said of the project.
Last October 26, Boracay Island reopened its doors to local and foreign tourists after a six-month rehabilitation.
SMC President and COO Ramon Ang last year said a “novel approach” to solve the island’s problems is to build a Caticlan-to-Boracay bridge.
The accessibility of Boracay, through the proposed bridge, would enable developers to build hotels and resorts outside the island, he said.
“Tourists and visitors will have the option to go to Boracay during the day and in the afternoon or at night for accommodations outside the island,” SMC’s president said.
“The development of neighboring areas would boost Aklan’s economy as a whole, while keeping island of Boracay sustainable for generations to come,” he added. — Ian Nicolas Cigaral
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