00:00A bridge linking Katiklan Isle to Party Town Island and Premier Tourist Draw Boracay has been brewing in the minds of tourists,
00:07especially locals who appreciate savings in ferry and or porter costs.
00:12But pushback is strong among the native boatmen and porters who want to keep both the status quo and their daily keep intact.
00:19Arad Lagusad tells us more.
00:21Residents and workers in Boracay, tourists and other stakeholders are divided over the proposed construction of a bridge connecting the island,
00:30one of the country's most visited tourist destinations, to the mainland Panay.
00:34For Peter, a boatman, he is not in favor of the plan as it could affect people like him.
00:51At saka ang pangit siya, hindi na siguro tumatatawag na ang Boracay na island kasi nakadugtong nasa sa mainland.
00:58This is also the sentiment of John Apporter, who carries passenger luggage to and from Boracay and other workers in the island.
01:05Awag na lang po kung sakaling hindi matutuloy.
01:08Ayun, para marami kasi may mawawalan ng trabaho dito sir eh, lalo na yung boatman at saka porter po.
01:15Hindi po siya makakatulong dito sa amin, sa Boracay, isla na sa mga bankero o ganun.
01:21Mas lalo na lang sa amin kasi magiging city na, magiging little city na po siya,
01:25hindi katulad ng island talaga na ito nadadayuhin ng bisita.
01:29For some tourists, they are in favor of the construction of the bridge.
01:32Mas favor po yun kaya para at least safety yung daanan, takatulay na,
01:37tsaka diretso na rin yung biyahe mo ba, hindi ka na ma-hassle mag-ano ng barko pa, hindi na, diretso na yung ano mo.
01:45For Mariel, who got engaged in Boracay, she says it would be good if the situation is balanced.
01:50Sa akin, okay lang naman na magkaroon ng talaga dito kasi nga for the benefit ng mga tourists.
01:56Pero ayun nga, isipin din natin yung mga magiging hanap buhay ng mga naging lokal dito.
02:02This coming Friday, August 8, a meeting is expected to take place between the local government of Malay Aklan
02:08and San Miguel Corporation, who came up for the unsolicited proposal to build a bridge connecting Boracay Island to Maylan Panay.
02:14The Municipal Council of Malay had earlier removed the bridge proposal from its comprehensive land use plan
02:20and annual investment plan following the opposition of various stakeholders.
02:24According to Malay, Mayor Floribar Bautista, SMC sent a letter requesting to present their proposal to the LGU.
02:30Normal naman yan. May mga pro, may against. But we have to give a chance naman to present.
02:41Tingnan natin kung how it, ano ba, why is it that they want to put up a bridge?
02:46Then ano ba, what will be the effect kung may bridge siya?
02:49Then how about the some sectors that will be affected?
02:52For the part of the provincial government, Aklan Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores said they are focused on bringing the most benefit to the people.
02:59He said the province has already held a meeting with SMC.
03:02But a public consultation with the stakeholders in the province has yet to be conducted, which they are still waiting for.
03:08Maraming groups na nag-oppose dito.
03:14And pinapakinggan namin sila kung ano yung dapat na steps na gagawin namin.
03:20And of course, kung ano talaga yung future na beneficial for the island and beneficial for the Aklanon.
03:26Sa ngayon, for ilang decades, marami pa namang investment na pupunta dito.
03:33Marami namang ongoing pang projects dyan ng mga hotels ngayon.
03:38So, I don't think maka-affect din sa mga investors kung may bridge or not.
03:44According to data from Malay Tourism Office, tourist arrivals in Boracay have reached over 1.3 million from January to July this year.
03:51Rod Lagusad from the National TV Network for a new and powerful teens.
