The proposed Boracay bridge project, a massive PHP 8 billion infrastructure plan, has sparked both excitement and fear among various stakeholders.
On one side, the bridge could offer a faster, more convenient connection to the island, benefiting tourists and local businesses dependent on a smooth flow of goods.
But for the 500 boatmen and 40 boat owners who currently operate ferry services between Caticlan and Boracay, this bridge could mean the end of their livelihood.
Their cooperative, the Caticlan Boracay Transport Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CBTMPC), invested nearly PHP 500 million in fiberglass boats as part of a government-mandated boat modernization scheme.
Boatmen, like Godofredo Sadiasa, expressed their dismay, saying the bridge would render their investments useless, leaving them in debt.
Sadiasa pointed out that the new bridge is a betrayal of earlier modernization promises meant to preserve their jobs and improve their operations.
In response, boatmen staged a motorcade on October 10 to protest the bridge construction during National Cooperative Month.
Mounting opposition has also emerged from Aklan Vice Governor Reynaldo Quimpo, who underscored the lack of consultation with local stakeholders.
Quimpo cited a provincial ordinance enforcing a “one entry/exit policy” to safeguard the island’s tourism assets and limit overdevelopment.
He also raised concerns over potential revenue losses from port fees, with the sea transport sector contributing PHP 368 million annually.
Beyond the financial impact, questions loom over the environmental consequences of the bridge.
Boracay has long been a fragile ecosystem, with the island’s environmental carrying capacity frequently under scrutiny by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Advocates for the bridge argue that better land access will help manage the island’s overcrowding problem, easing the strain on tourism and allowing for better control over visitor numbers.
Yet, skeptics worry that this could invite even more people, further taxing Boracay’s resources and undoing the environmental recovery efforts of recent years.
The project is part of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) 2025 Public-Private Partnership (PPP) budget and is backed by San Miguel Holdings Corporation.
According to DPWH, the 1.2-kilometer bridge is not intended for vehicular through-traffic but is designed to improve the movement of goods and services to Boracay.
However, critics argue that the bridge could trigger more development on the island, eroding the very charm that made Boracay famous worldwide.
Beyond the boatmen, around 166 porters working at jetty ports also stand to lose their jobs once the bridge is operational.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan, along with the Sangguniang Bayan of Malay, has not yet received any formal proposal for the project.
Both bodies have pledged to consult with affected sectors, ensuring a more democratic process in evaluating infrastructure developments in the region.
At this stage, the bridge project is a double-edged sword for Boracay’s future—promising ease and convenience for tourists while threatening the livelihood of those whose incomes depend on the island’s current transportation systems.
Whether this infrastructure investment will enhance Boracay’s appeal or strip it of its character remains to be seen.
As negotiations continue, the challenge lies in balancing progress with sustainability and inclusion, ensuring that development benefits not just businesses but also local communities.
The bridge could transform Boracay, but the question remains—at what cost?
