Pinapaimbestigahan ni Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila M. de Lima ang P7.8-billion Boracay Bridge Project ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) sa gitna ng pagtutol mula sa local governments, business groups, transport groups, environmental advocates, at Ati community leaders.
Ihinain kamakailan ni De Lima ng House Resolution 1021 para hilingin sa House Committee on Public Works and Highways at iba pang angkop na komite na magsagawa ng joint inquiry “in aid of legislation” sa proposed bridge.
Layunin ng resolusyon na alamin kung nasunod ang consultation requirements sa ilalim ng Sections 2(c), 26, at 27 ng Republic Act No. 7160, o Local Government Code of 1991. Pinapasilip din nito kung kailangan ng transparent, independent, at science-based environmental impact assessment sa epekto ng proyekto sa ecosystem, biodiversity, coastal integrity, at carrying capacity ng Boracay Island.
Ayon sa resolusyon, dapat magsagawa ang Kamara ng inquiry “for the purpose of determining compliance with the consultation requirements under Sections 2(c), 26, and 27 of Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code (LGC) of 1991, as well as the need for the conduct of a transparent, independent, and science-based environmental impact assessment addressing the project’s effects on Boracay Island’s ecosystem, biodiversity, coastal integrity, and carrying capacity.”
Ang 2.54-kilometer bridge system ay unsolicited project ng San Miguel Holdings Corp. (SMHC), ang infrastructure arm ng San Miguel Corp. na pinamumunuan ni Ramon Ang.
Ayon sa mga ulat, naglabas ang DPWH ng notice of award para sa public-private partnership project sa SMHC sa parehong araw na tumanggap si Public Works Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon ng referral letter mula Malacañang. Kalakip ng referral ang dokumento mula sa isang island stakeholders group na tumututol sa bridge project.
Binanggit ni De Lima na kabilang sa tutol sa proyekto ang Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Boracay, multi-sectoral organizations, transport groups, environmental advocates, Ati community leaders, provincial government of Aklan, municipal government of Malay, at League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Aklan Chapter.
Ayon kay De Lima, tutol na ang stakeholders sa bridge project mula pa 2019, “when national government agencies first introduced the concept as part of Boracay’s post-rehabilitation infrastructure initiatives, with critics consistently emphasizing the need to balance connectivity and development with long-term environmental sustainability and preservation of the island’s unique ecological character.”
Sinabi rin ni De Lima na sinabi ni Dizon na ang concerns at consultations ng stakeholders ay dapat hawakan ng project proponent na SMHC. Para sa mambabatas, ito ay “[raises] questions regarding the extent of the government’s role in ensuring compliance with consultation requirements and accountability in the implementation of national infrastructure projects.”
Tinukoy niya ang “compelling need” na sumunod ang major infrastructure projects sa existing laws, environmental sustainability measures, proteksyon sa trabaho at indigenous communities, at paggalang sa “autonomy and participation rights” ng local government units.
Ayon kay De Lima, ang Section 27 ng Local Government Code ay “expressly provides that no project or program shall be implemented by government authorities unless the required consultations are conducted and prior approval of the concerned sanggunian is obtained.”
Pinatututukan din niya ang posibleng pagkawala ng trabaho ng workers at transport operators na umaasa sa existing water transport system sa pagitan ng Caticlan at Boracay, pati disruption sa established livelihood systems at community-based economic structures na sumusuporta sa libu-libong Aklanon families.
Nanawagan din si De Lima na repasuhin ang “alternative infrastructure and transport solutions that prioritize environmental sustainability, disaster resilience, public health, and the protection of local livelihoods.” /Bistado