DAVAO CITY Bridge Project Remains on Track Despite Temporary Halt Reports

 DAVAO CITY – Contrary to reports suggesting the suspension of the PHP23 billion bridge project linking this city and the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS), an official affirmed on Wednesday that the initiative is still moving forward.

Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao Leo Tereso Magno addressed the issue in a statement, mentioning that he reached out to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Emil Sadain to validate the alleged suspension, as reported by National Economic Development Authority-11 director Ma. Lourdes Lim.

Lim, during a press briefing on Tuesday, disclosed that the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) project had been halted from November of the previous year until January 3 of the current year. She explained that, as of November 2023, the detailed engineering design was at 83.91 percent completion, but negotiations on the right of way acquisition issue on the Davao City side led to the project's suspension.

Magno countered these claims, asserting that there is no truth to the reported suspension and that the project remains a priority under the Marcos administration in the Davao region.

“I called DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan who also informed me that the project will push through as planned. Apart from that, he also told me that the completion of the Davao City Coastal Road from Times Beach going to Bucana would also push through,” clarified Magno.

He cautioned against officials spreading unverified information to the public and emphasized his advocacy for the SIDC project, emphasizing its significant benefits for the neighboring cities and the entire region.

The picturesque bridge project, spanning the Pakiputan Strait, will have landing points at the Samal Circumferential Road in Barangay Limao, IGACOS, and Davao City along the R. Castillo-Daang Maharlika junction.

The SIDC bridge, with a length of 3.9 kilometers, includes ramps in Davao City and a 24-meter wide grade road and roundabout at the Samal circumferential road.

Upon completion, the bridge will be a four-lane, cable-stayed iconic conduit with a vertical navigational clearance of up to 47 meters.

The SIDC is anticipated to accommodate up to 25,000 vehicles daily and significantly reduce travel time between Samal and Davao City to five minutes, compared to the current 30-minute ferry boat ride. (PNA)