DAVAO CITY (July 25) — A 25-year-old construction worker tragically died after falling into a hole at the construction site of the Samal Island–Davao City Connector (SIDC) Bridge in Purok 2, Barangay Caliclic, Babak District, Island Garden City of Samal.
The incident occurred around 9:10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23, 2025, while the victim, identified as Welmar Melicio Lagunsay, was preparing to pour cement into a board pile—a deep foundation component of the bridge project.
Lagunsay, a resident of Purok Mindahilia, Esperanza, Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte, reportedly lost his balance and fell, sustaining severe injuries to the head and face. Witnesses said he lost consciousness upon impact.
He was rushed to the Samal Zone Hospital in Barangay Peñaplata, but doctors declared him dead on arrival.
According to attending physicians, the cause of death was Acute Respiratory Failure Type 1 secondary to Traumatic Brain Injury.
His mother, Rosemarie Melicio Lagunsay, 47, said her son was performing his regular duties when the accident occurred. This account was confirmed by project foreman Jesus Cablian, 54, of Barangay Poblacion, Monkayo, Davao de Oro, who witnessed the tragic incident.
Lagunsay was employed at the SIDC Bridge project being constructed by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC)—a major infrastructure initiative aimed at linking Davao City and Samal Island to ease transportation and promote economic growth.
His remains are now at Rivera Funeral Homes in Sto. Tomas.
Edith Z Caduaya studied Bachelor of Science in Development Communication at the University of Southern Mindanao.
The chairperson of Mindanao Independent Press Council (MIPC) Inc.
