DAVAO CITY — President Ferdinand R. Marcos on Thursday led the groundbreaking ceremony of the P23-Billion Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) project which is seen to reduce travel time between both cities from 50 minutes to approximately four and a half minutes
The connector bridge is a 3.98km, four-lane, toll-free bridge that will connect the Island Garden City of Samal and Davao City. The project is targetted to be completed in 2027 features a bike lane. Once completed, it is expected to serve 25,000 vehicles daily and reduce travel time between the two areas to just five minutes.
In his speech, Marcos said “Once completed, this bridge will help us develop the economic potential of Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal, as well as enhance its residents’ access to employment, education and other services,.”
Before ending his speech, the President emphasized “in 2027, this bridge will surely ease the convenience of travel and transport, bringing forth gainful opportunities for many of our people by providing a link between relatively far-flung areas and economic centers. Thereby, we ensure smoother mobility of people and of goods,”
On the fear that the corals will be damaged, Engineer Jowito Tulaylay, the project manager of the SIDC said “We assure you that no coral will be affected during the construction phase,” this was the assurance of Engr. Joey Tulaylay, the project manager of the P19.3-billion Samal Island- Davao City Connector (SIDC) on Saturday as he faced the leaders of the island on Saturday.
Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib “The plan was shown to us and the DPWH assured me that the marine resources including the corals will not be destroyed because the boreholes will be constructed with caution and they also presented to me a rehabilitation plan for the marine resources because they know that the corals in the contested property are on its poor condition, as it is not.”
Mayor Al David uy of Island Garden City of Samal said “The underwater resources of Samal is our garden, we will continue to beautify our garden because that is our identity and we will rehabilitate more than double if ever the project will cost us our garden.’-Editha Z. Caduaya
