No Caticlan-Boracay bridge in masterplan —DPWH

The construction of a bridge connecting Caticlan, Aklan to Boracay island is not part of the masterplan for rehabilitation of the island resort, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on Thursday.

DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said in an interview on News to Go that a bridge could further congest the island.

San Miguel Corporation president Ramon Ang suggested earlier this month that the government to look into the possibility of a bridge that would connect Boracay to the Aklan.

“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,” the businessman said.

“Sa ngayon po, hindi kasama sa masterplan dahil, sa tingin ko, medyo congested ang Boracay. So kung magtatayo kami ng bridge, hindi ko alam kung saan ilalagay ang mga kotse na dadaan sa bridge,” Villar noted.

"Baka lalong magiging congested ang Boracay,” he said.

For now, the DPWH is looking at the feasibility of the suggestion.

“Pinag-aaralan din namin pero hindi po kasama sa masterplan as of now. We will just continue to enhance the garbage facilties to make it more efficient,” he said.

On the first day of Boracay’s six-month closure, Villar reiterated the DPWH’s main priority is to rehabilitate the Boracay Circumferential Road, which includes the installation of proper sewage facilities to overcome the island’s environmental woes.

Under the masterplan, the massive the road network is envisioned to have two lanes, drainage, gutters, sidewalks and a bike lane.

Tearing down houses and other structures along the way will continue as the DPWH is expands the circumferential road to 12 meters, Villar said. —Margaret Claire Layug/VDS, GMA News