BORACAY – With the opening of the improved Boracay Circumferential Road, tourists can now enjoy a faster and more comfortable travel in the island.
On Dec. 4, the 8.73-kilometer portion of the 21.643-kilometer road was inaugurated.
The completed portions included the following:
* Phase 1, with a length of 4.47 kilometers; it involved the improvement of the road from Cagban Port to Hue Hotel, from Hue Hotel to Elizalde; and the construction of the missing gap (Bolabog Dramatic Road) leading to Bolabog Beach
* Phase 2, with a total length of 3.362 kilometers to include the improvement of the road from Elizalde to Ambassador, from Ambassador to City Mall, and from Tambisa-an Port to Rotonda
* improvement of the 800-meter Laketown
“Almost half of the entire 21.64-kilometer Boracay Circumferential Road has been improved and we are set to undertake the remaining 11.68 kilometers in the coming years to bring further transport relief to both locals and visitors,” said Secretary Mark Villar of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). He led the inauguration.
Once completed, the circumferential road will reduce travel time from Cagban Port in Barangay Manoc-Manoc to Ilig-Iligan Beach in Barangay Yapak by 40 to 45 minutes from the usual one hour and 30 minutes of travel.
The project involves concreting/widening of the existing road; construction of drainage system; construction of sidewalks with paving blocks/stamped concrete; and provision of street lighting, tree planting (potted plants) and sprigging, pavement markings, loading/unloading bays, and access for persons with disabilities.
Also included in the project is the relocation of the existing electric and telecommunications poles and lines, and demolition/clearing of encroachments within the established 12-meter road right-of-way.
DPWH regional director Lea Delfinado said P1.85 billion is required to complete the whole stretch of Boracay Circumferential Road.
Since May 2018, P890 million has already been released, she said.
“We are hopeful that better roads will make Boracay more appealing to tourists and more beneficial to islanders,” said Villar.
DPWH has proposed to implement the improvement of the Bolabog 24/7 road to Ati village boardwalk, and improvement of the Tambisa-an Port and Boracay Jetty Port junction to Cagban Port under its fiscal year 2021 budget in the amount of P237 million. (DPWH-6/PN)
