Wider roads and improved drainage systems are needed in Boracay Island. /Inquirer file photo
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Friday promised to take advantage of the six-month closure of Boracay to build wider roads and improve the drainage system along the Boracay Circumferential Road network.
DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said the agency’s initial steps include the demolition of structures that occupy the 12-meter government road right-of-way, as well as to clean and declog existing drainage systems on the resort island’s road network.
“We have six months to restore the beauty of Boracay. For this period we aim to complete the whole Boracay Circumferential Road that will strictly follow the 6.10-meter carriageway standard and road right-of-way on both sides as we also plan to build sidewalks and bike lanes for the pedestrians,” Villar said in a statement.
Roads on the resort island, Villar said, were “narrow due to road right-of-way violations, with structures closely built along national roads, resulting to carriageways being shared by both vehicles, pedestrians, and merchants.”
“Three sections with a total length of 5.2-kilometer which will require P490 million budget is needed to complete Boracay Circumferential Road,” Villar said.
“An improved drainage and sewerage system will also be incorporated along the main road to contain in-land flooding and unabated waste discharge to the beach,” he said.