BORACAY – Gov. Florencio Miraflores of Aklan province slammed San Miguel Corporation’s (SMC) plan to build a bridge from Caticlan in Malay town to this famed-island resort.
Miraflores, during his State of the Province Address on Monday, said he already turned down the project in a meeting with the Boracay Inter Agency Task Force early this year.
He intends to build instead an Integrated Port Terminal in Caticlan that will have complete facilities and accommodate cruise ship passengers.
“Breakwater structures will also be put up to upgrade both ports (including Cagban) into all-weather ports that can allow berthing of motorboats and fast crafts during habagat season and will operate 24-7,” Miraflores said.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said they hope to grant “soon” the original proponent status to SMC for its P5.5-billion proposal to build a 1.2-kilometer bridge from Caticlan to Boracay.
“The Manoc-Manoc Cargo Port has commenced construction works. When completed, it will receive and dispatch from and to the island a separate berthing area will be allocated for priority use of barges hauling out garbage in Boracay,” Miraflores reported. He also said the provincial government is pushing to develop the 6,000 square-meter area adjacent to Wetland Number 6 to pave the way for a much presentable and compliant market site for vendors, masseurs and the like. The development will also feature stalls for food businesses.
“We intend to develop the 6,000 square-meter area adjacent to Wetland Number 6 to pave the way for a much presentable and compliant market site for vendors, masseurs and the like. The development will also feature stalls for food businesses,” Miraflores added./PN
