The Department of Public Works and Highways in Davao Region (DPWH-Davao) has confirmed that the construction of the P23-billion Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC), commonly referred to as the Davao-Samal Bridge, will proceed as planned despite an ongoing legal challenge from environmental advocacy groups.

DPWH-Davao spokesperson Dean Ortiz stated that the construction is progressing steadily and remains on schedule for completion by 2027. He acknowledged that there are ongoing expropriation cases related to right-of-way issues within Davao City, but emphasized that these challenges have not caused significant delays to the overall timeline of the project.

The SIDC project involves the construction of a 3.9-kilometer, four-lane cable-stayed bridge, designed to connect Barangay Limao in the Island Garden City of Samal to the R. Castillo-Daang Maharlika junction in Davao City.

The bridge will span the Pakiputan Strait and is designed with a vertical navigational clearance of 47 meters, allowing it to accommodate up to 25,000 vehicles per day, thereby reducing travel time between Samal and Davao City from approximately 30 minutes by ferry to just five minutes.

However, the project has sparked significant opposition from environmental groups, which filed a 200-page petition with the Supreme Court in April seeking a writ of kalikasan and a temporary environmental protection order.

The petition raises concerns over the potential for irreparable damage to coral reefs in the Paradise Reef and the Hizon Marine Protected Area, citing threats to marine ecosystems and local communities' livelihoods.

The petition asserts that the destruction of the coral reefs presents an impending crisis for local communities that have depended on these resources for generations.

It articulates concerns about the long-term effects of the project on marine biodiversity and ecosystems.

Notable individuals behind the petition include Ecoteneo Director Carmela Marie Santos and Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability Executive Director Mark Peñalver.

They are joined by Dyesabel Philippines chairperson Marvelous Camilo and representatives from the Sustainable Davao Movement.

The petitioners are advocating for an immediate halt to the project and requesting that the respondents submit their responses within 10 days of receiving the petition.

They seek the court's intervention to mandate rehabilitation and preservation efforts for the affected marine ecosystems.

Named respondents in the case include the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Samal Island Protected Landscape and Seascape Protected Area Management Board, as well as the China Road and Bridge Corporation, which is responsible for the construction activities.

Currently, DPWH-Davao Regional Director Juby Cordon reported an overall physical accomplishment rate of 3.487 percent for the project.

The design phase has been completed while the process of acquiring the necessary right-of-way continues.

Of the 55 affected lots in Davao City, 14 have been acquired through negotiated sales, and an additional four have been secured through expropriation.

In Samal Island, all affected properties have been successfully acquired.

Cordon further indicated that 78 percent of the affected coconut trees in Davao City have been cleared, along with all coconut trees on Samal Island.

He reaffirmed that environmental considerations were integrated into the design and planning stages of the project.

While the legal case remains unresolved before the Supreme Court, DPWH-Davao has stated its readiness to comply with any legal directives resulting from the proceedings, while maintaining its commitment to the scheduled completion of the infrastructure project.