The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will complete Boracay Circumferential Road gaps and build a better drainage system during the world-renowned island’s 6-month closure and rehabilitation, Secretary Mark A. Villar said.
Villar personally led a team of DPWH maintenance personnel during the first day of rehabilitation being implemented in coordination with other government agencies , including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Department of Tourism.
Villar said the DPWH will initially demolish structures that occupy the 12-meter government road right-of-way and clean / declog existing drainage lines along the Boracay Circumferential Road.
“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,” said Villar.
Currently, roads in the island are 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.
Villar added that 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.