| Work Detail |
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is expected to award soon the original proponent status (OPS) to San Miguel Corp. (SMC) for its P5.5-billion unsolicited proposal to build a bridge between Boracay Island and the main Island of Panay, Aklan. “We’re still finalizing the OPS, we’re still processing it... Well, we can expect the OPS soon,” Mark Villar, DPWH secretary, told reporters. Last January, DPWH confirmed that the proposal submitted by SMC’s infrastructure unit San Miguel Holdings Corp. (SMCH) for the Boracay bridge project was complete. Asked about the schedule of the Swiss challenge for the project, Villar said it is up to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) which will further evaluate the project. “The OPS will submit to NEDA and NEDA will evaluate the merits of the proposal,” he said. The 1.2-kilometer limited access bridge infrastructure costs P5.5 billion, of which P4.4 billion is the construction cost and P1.1 billion is for the right-of-way, according to DPWH. The project aims to facilitate provision of a public transport access system carriage of power, telecommunication, water supply and sewer utility line and transport of solid waste and cargo through authorized trucks. SMHC expects the project to free up Boracay Island from pressures due to overcrowding and overuse of existing facilities which ultimately produce adverse environmental impact, as it will encourage people to consider alternative accommodations and activity centers at mainland Panay (Malay, Aklan). SMC, through Trans Aire Development Holdings Corp., operates the Boracay Airport in Caticlan, Aklan – the major gateway to the world-famous island. Meanwhile, DPWH has awarded to SMC the OPS for its P23.9-billion unsolicited proposal to extend the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union expressway (TPLEx) up to San Juan, La Union last December. The proposal involves a 59.4-km four-lane toll road which will start from the last exit of TPLEx in Rosario, La Union and will terminate at San Juan. |
