DAVAO CITY — The Philippine Government through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has taken possession over the nine (9) properties in Barangays Caliclic and Limao, Island Garden City of Samal which will be used for the Samal Island – Davao City Connector project.
On Monday, the DPWH installed a notice telling among others that Judge Gemma Betonio of the Regional Tiral Court (RTC) Branch 4, of Panabo City, Davao del Norte, has issued on January 20, 2023, the Writ of Possession over the properties owned by the families of Jesus Lucas et al.
During the execution Sheriff Jonathan Flores was designated by the court to oversee its implementation.
In November 2022, the Philippine Government through DPWH filed five (5) expropriation cases against families of Lucas and Rodriguez, all residents of Samal Island, as the government will use the aforementioned properties of the P23-billion bridge project.
This, after the affected families refused to sell their properties to the government citing the environmental hazzards brought about by the project. The properties in Barangay Caliclic and Limao have been identified as the landing area of the bridge.
Davao del Norte Governor Edwin I. Jubahib, witnessed the implementation of the court order.
Representing the DPWH was SIDC Project Manager Joweto Tulaylay, Project Engineer John Christian Gaden, City Administrator Neiljun Esdrelon, Davao del Norte Provincial PNP Commander PCol. Antonio Alberio and officers from the China Road and Bridge Corporation, along with 46 barangay captains of the island.
“This is the proof that the project is now on ground,” Jubahib said in an interview with PTV.
