DPWH starts with Boracay Circumferential Road rehab on first day of closure

The rehabilitation of the Boracay Circumferential Road is one of the top priorities of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) during the island’s six-month closure.

On GMA News TV’s News to Go on Thursday, DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said sewage facilities and infrastructure on the road network needs to be improved as it serves as the island’s major artery.

"Ito po yung major artery ng Boracay. Kulang po ang drainage at infrastructure dito kaya ang ginagawa namin ngayon meron na kaming plano to fix the five-kilometer stretch,” he said.

“Isa po ‘yun sa mga goals natin…Ang gusto natin, maging malinis at maayos na ang Boracay. Malaki pong bagay ang Boracay Circumferential Road dahil dito po dadaan ang lahat ng sewerage system,” he added.

DPWH begin demolishing structures to prepare for 12 meter road widening project; new roads will have bike lanes, plant divider, sidewalk @gmanews pic.twitter.com/iEh3lRRUKm

— Joseph Morong (@Joseph_Morong) April 26, 2018

As the masterplan envisions the Boracay Circumferential Road to have two lanes, drainage, gutters, sidewalks and a bike lane, Villar said the DPWH will be widening the current six- to eight-meter right of way to 12 meters, adding that the agency will push through with their clearing operations.

The DPWH also intends to coordinate with private concessionaires and public utility entities like Boracay Water and electric operatives regarding their part in the road’s rehabilitation.

"The private concessionaire, kasama… 'yung water treatment facilities. Kami naman po, in support of that, gagawa rin kami ng sewerage facility in the main road kasi gagamitin din naman nila ‘yung right of way,” Villar said.

He added that water treatment centers and pumping stations have been identified.

“Kami naman, gagawa kami ng road network with that in mind. Magkakaroon din ng waste sewage treatment, waste treatment facilities, kailangan din i-incorporate namin ‘yung mga facilities,” Villar said.

“At least when we do our final design, when we implement, kumpleto na po ang plano,” he added.

In a separate interview on Balitanghali, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Assistant Secretary Epimaco Densing III said the DPWH ordered stakeholders to hire Boracay residents to work on the road expansion project.

"'Yung DPWH na may 5.2-kilometer road expansion project, pati drainage system po, meron ho silang kautusan sa kanilang mga mabibigyan ng kontrata na lahat ng mga pangangailangan nilang tao para magtatao sa road expansion system na lahat kukunin sa mga residente na nakatira sa isla ng Boracay," he said.

Over 30,000 people working on the resort island lost their jobs due to the closure, which coincides with the peak season for tourist arrivals. — Margaret Claire Layug/BM, GMA News