Delay in full Boracay road rehab turns travel into ‘horror’

FIXING PARADISE Construction goes on on the main road of Boracay after the resort island was reopened on Oct. 26, 2018. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

ILOILO CITY — Construction of a major stretch of the main road of Boracay Island has yet to start even as an increasing number of tourists are coming to the popular island-resort.

The road from the area near the Elizalde property leading to Barangay Yapak at the northern end of the island is still difficult to use due to excavations for the widening of the road and upgrading of drainage and sewage pipes, according to residents.

“It’s a horror passing there,” a long-time resident told the Inquirer but asked not to be named to avoid antagonizing officials.

The road is the main access leading to mostly high-end resorts, hotels and restaurants along Station 1.

Key component

After calling Boracay a cesspool, President Duterte ordered the closure of the island to tourists for six months from April 26 to Oct. 25, 2018 for rehabilitation.

At least 30,000 workers and those dependent on tourists for their livelihood stopped working or lost their livelihood due to the closure.

One of they key components of the rehabilitation was the upgrading and widening of the 20-kilometer road network of the island.

The expanded and upgraded main road has a six-meter and two-lane carriageway with two-meter sidewalks along each side of the road. The road will also have loading and unloading bays, pavers, street lights and vegetation.

Phases

But construction is still in the completion stage of the first phase of the project covering 4.12 km with a budget of P490 million.

The first phase stretches from the Cagban port in Barangay Manoc-Manoc to the Elizalde property in Barangay Balabag.

Engineer Al Fruto, Department of Public Works and Highways Western Visayas assistant regional director, said the first phase was 97 percent complete.

He said the areas not completed were those with electric and utility poles that would be transferred by Feb. 15.

The second phase, which will cover 3.3 km, has a budget of P300 million.