85% of Boracay road revamp finished, says DPWH’s Villar

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is assuring the public that the current road upgrading efforts for the circumferential road of this island destination is nearing completion.

DPWH secretary Mark Villar revisited Boracay this week to inspect the circumferential road, explaining that construction has largely been delayed due to the recent series of inclement weather.

With the start of the six-month Boracay closure in April, the DPWH began its road upgrading of the 4.1-kilometer circumferential road. Another 3.5 kilometers in new circumferential roads are expected to be paved next year.

“Currently, we already have finished 85 percent of road upgrading including the sidewalk,” Villar told reporters.

DPWH has also constructed a 204-meter reinforced concrete pipe culvert, to fill a missing gap in the island’s drainage facility. It will have five catchment basins, a 22-meter cross drain, and 130-meter cut-off wall for installation of curb and gutter.

Other improvement activities in Boracay include the clearing of illegally placed structures and the construction of a road network leading to and along Bulabog Beach.

Boracay Halloween celebration simple

Halloween traditions in this resort island on October 31 had been made simple as the national government banned beach parties. This is a far cry from the celebrations that marked this resort island before it was closed on April 26.

Both tourists and residents enjoyed frolicking and swimming at the beach, eating and shopping. Foreigners and residents also dressed in scary costumes in line with the Halloween traditions.

Halloween costume parties were also held in bars and night clubs far from the beach.

Ramel Buncalan, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Kalibo, noted President Duterte fulfilled his promise to open Boracay after six months.

Businesses in Kalibo were also affected, some were closed, according to Buncalan. He noted that the closure of Boracay, which is several kilometers away from Kalibo, also caused the displacement of employees in Kalibo.