The Samal Island – Davao City Connector (SIDC) bridge construction would push through as planned amid the suggestion of a resort owner for a deviation in the project.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Pura Rodriguez, said that they asked for an alternative landing site in the Island Garden City of Samal as it would damage 300 meters of the Paradise Reef, which they have preserved for almost a century.
Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib said some members of the family went with him to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Manila recently to discuss the issue.
“Let us consider the millions of people who clamor for this project to materialize.”
“It was explained that the construction includes the protection of the corals and there is no reason for resistance. Let us consider the millions of people who clamor for this project to materialize,” Jubahib said during a public consultation.
National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan and officials of the provincial and local governments met with various stakeholders in Samal City to discuss the concerns about the P23-billion four-lane bridge that is targeted for completion in 2027.
Forty-three out of 46 village leaders gave their full support for the project.
Jubahib told the village leaders that the realization of the bridge would boost the economy and tourism of the island.
“Investors would come in and one more thing that we consider is we can transport our residents to big hospitals in Davao City should they need immediate hospital care,” he added.
Joey Tulaylay, Department of Public Works and Highways-Davao (DPWH-11) engineer and SIDC program manager, said the notice to proceed was approved on September 1.
“We assure you that no coral will be affected during the construction phase.”
“We assure you that no coral will be affected during the construction phase,” Tulaylay stressed.
DPWH has previously allayed fears that the SIDC will have an adverse effect on marine life and affect the mountainous terrain of Samal.
“Part of the requirement complied with before the issuance of the Environmental Compliance Certificate was the creation of the Multipartite Monitoring Team and the establishment of Environmental Monitoring Fund and Environmental Guarantee Fund,” the DPWH said in a previous statement.
Tulaylay said a land survey and geotechnical investigation using the boring machine are ongoing, along with detailed engineering design activities.
The project has all the necessary permits and requirements from concerned local government units and national government agencies, he added.
