LOCAL folks in an island paradise have long been pleading for a bigger and better hospital, but the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) finds it more prudent to allow San Miguel Holdings Corporation to proceed with the construction of a bridge connecting Boracay to the mainland.
This just goes to show that when oligarchs– and political funders– speak, the government would listen and yield as if they are the voice of God.
Malacanang announced Tuesday that the DPWH is finalizing the contract for the P7.94 billion, 2.54 kilometer Boracay bridge.
The project, expected to connect the tourist haven Boracay Island to mainland Malay, will include providing access to public transportation, pedestrian lanes and utility lines.
Just like the benefit of SMC’s skyway projects, which have too high toll rates even within just Metro Manila, this would not be just another cash cow for the already huge conglomerate but would also bring its top honcho’s brand or name top of mind of the voters. (In the 2022 elections, SMC chair/CEO Ramon S. Ang was being considered a presidential material, but withdrew from the race).
“Kinomit ng San Miguel lahat ng issues and concerns ng lokal na pamahalaan at ng iba pang stakeholder ay pakikinggan at tutugunan,” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro told reporters during a regular Palace press briefing.
“Walang maiiwan, walang madedehado, lahat magbe-benepisyo, turista, residente, manggagawa ng Aklan. Iyan po ay mula sa DPWH,” she said.
The project was approved in January 2025, and is set to be awarded to the SMC after the comparative challenge period concluded in March 2026.
But what about the much-requested third level hospital facility to take care of the health needs of the people, considering that Bora only has one public hospital and many other small private clinics that charge high which make them irrelevant to the poor people of this white sand paradise, which benefit mostly local and foreign tourists.
In an earlier position paper submitted to the palace by the Bora Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that instead of building a bridge project that would just displace the boatmen and other tourism workers in Boracay, the people are asking for a hospital, which they need most.
“Instead of allocating nearly P8 billion to a single unsolicited project such as the Boracay Bridge, a more strategic approach would be to direct investment toward more practical and cost-effective public-private partnership [PPP] initiatives that address longstanding gaps, without risking irreversible damage to the island’s environment and marine ecosystem, while delivering meaningful improvements to critical infrastructure and systems that have repeatedly fallen short.”
The bridge, if it pushes through, will provide temporary employment to residents but once completed only those with private cars and public transport like habal habal will benefit from it.
But for the sick residents and in times of epidemics and disease outbreaks, they still need to go to the provincial government to get treatment for their ailments.
Boracay, being a globally-renowned white sand beaches, is famous as well for boat rides or ferries to take the local and foreign tourists to their desired destination (called stations with Station 1 catering to the affluent clients while Station 2, the epicenter has the highest concentration of shops, bars, restaurants and D’ Mall or the best place for convenience and night life that can be loud while Station 3 is the most peaceful and authentic area being closest to the boat stations with more vegetation and offers cheaper accommodation options for budget-conscious travelers).
Station 1 is reputed as the “luxury zone” with wider, powdery sand and high-end resorts for a quiet, intimate experience. Station 2 is the bustling, noisy center with D’Mall, nightlife, and many mid-range hotels, while Station 3 is a laid-back, tranquil area with budget-friendly accommodation and lush nature.
Except for some private clinics, the only public hospital in Boracay Island is Ciriaco S. Tirol Hospital (a level 1 hospital with 25-bed capacity taking turns in using 10 beds) has yet to complete its emergency room.
The DPWH, now under Vince Dizon, is being asked to shift its project from bridge to hospital to save more lives and help more poor sickly people get immediate medical treatment for their ailments. The DPWH just months ago was at the center of the most toxic scandal of all time with its flood control projects.
The island, known as among the Best Beaches in Asia, needs for one, “at least a Level 2 hospital with select Level 3 capabilities, rapid emergency response systems, and strong disaster preparedness to ensure safety for both visitors and Boracay’s estimated 12,000 residents.” Last year, Boracay welcomed some 2.16 million tourists, of which 1.77 million were domestic travelers, the PCCI said.
According to the Department of Health, a Level 2 hospital should have: full emergency hospital services, intensive care and trauma response, and advanced maternity/neonatal care. Level 3 services may include: CT/MRI equipment, specialist surgery, and dialysis/trauma support.
As this developed, Aklan Gov. Jose Enrique Miraflores said when he brought up the bridge project to President Marcos Jr. again, “He was surprised that it was approved without public consultations. In fact, he even said, ‘Dapat nagkaroon ng public hearing.’”
Miraflores, who was in Roxas City with other Aklan officials for projects Marcos Jr. was to inaugurate, told Business Mirror, “The President said he will talk with Ramon S. Ang of San Miguel Holdings Corp. to make sure a public consultation will happen.”
He said the President’s response made him and his fellow Aklan officials “hopeful” that the issues surrounding the controversial bridge project will finally be settled.
The Aklan governor reiterated the local governments’ and the island’s stakeholders’ continuing opposition to the project due to environmental and livelihood concerns for the local tourism workers.
To ensure the long-term viability of Boracay, there should be investments in an “Environmental Protection Infrastructure” focused on “coastal protection, mangrove and reef rehabilitation, and comprehensive management of beach erosion,” among others, the governor added.
The PCCI- Boracay pointed out, in the course of approving the controversial project, DPWH failed to follow Republic Act 11966 (Public-Private Partnership Code of the Philippines) and RA 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991). Provisions in these laws include the development of a “transparent, comprehensive, and independent Environmental Impact Assessment [and] meaningful consultation with local stakeholders, residents, businesses, and environmental groups.”
Meanwhile, PCCI-Boracay noted that the bridge will only worsen vehicular traffic on the island, which is already congested, “despite strict vehicle limits including a ‘no private car’ system under municipal ordinances and BIATF (Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force) issuances.”
The position paper said the permanent land connection will likely reverse the environmental gains Boracay earned during its six-month rehabilitation in 2018. The island “has already experienced the consequences of exceeding its sustainable limits. Improved unrestricted access may lead to increased pressure on infrastructure, waste management systems, and natural resources.”
During its closure in 2018 by President Rodrigo Duterte, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources determined the island’s carrying capacity to be 19,215 tourists at any given time, which has been exceeded every Holy Week break since 2022.
The business group stressed that the construction and operation of a bridge pose “significant risks” to Boracay, which has a total land area of just 10.32 square kilometers. “Its fragile coastal and marine ecosystems may be adversely affected, including disruptions to water circulation, coral systems, and shoreline integrity.”
This includes possible damage to Boracay’s “world-renowned powdery white sand” among other risks which “outweigh any projected benefits” of the bridge.
Aside from the environmental risks, there are potential threats to livelihood as well “from boat operators to service providers. A bridge may significantly disrupt these sectors without clear, inclusive transition plans,” said PCCI-Boracay.