KALIBO, Aklan— The newly installed Catholic bishop of Kalibo has strongly opposed the proposed bridge linking Boracay Island to mainland Aklan, warning it poses serious environmental, social and moral risks to one of the country’s top tourist destinations.
In an interview with CBCP News, Bishop Cyril Villareal said the P7.94-billion infrastructure project could damage Boracay’s fragile marine ecosystems, disrupt coral reefs and push the resort island beyond its environmental carrying capacity.
He warned that Boracay, already strained by decades of mass tourism, should not be subjected to large-scale development that could cause irreversible ecological harm.
Villareal also raised concerns that the bridge and related commercial expansion could marginalize the Ati, Boracay’s indigenous community, potentially displacing residents and eroding their cultural heritage.
He called on the national government to prioritize the welfare of the people over personal interests. “It’s not about yourself or what you can get from it but rather for the good of the people,” Villareal said.
“I hope you will listen to the local leaders and spiritual leaders because we understand the situation here. We live with the people,” he added.
The bishop also warned the bridge could open the island to uncontrolled commercial growth, including casinos and gambling establishments, which he said could harm families and communities.
“If there is gambling, it will put the people in danger… many families will be broken, and many individuals are destroyed because of being addicted to gambling,” he said.
He called for wider public consultations, stressing that the project carries not only economic implications but also moral and social consequences.
Malacañang has said the Department of Public Works and Highways is finalizing the contract for the bridge, approved in January 2025.
The 2.54-kilometer bridge will connect Boracay to Panay Island through Malay town, with public transport lanes, pedestrian access and utility lines.
San Miguel Corp. is expected to secure the project after the comparative challenge period ended in March 2026.
Boracay, a 10.32-square-kilometer island famed for its white-sand beaches, underwent a six-month government closure in 2018 for environmental rehabilitation.
