The clamor is high for the construction of the bridge that will connect Davao City to Island Garden City of Samal which makes it the most anticipated project to be implemented in the Duterte administration.
The delayed implementation of the bridge has caused disappointment among tourists and locals who frequented the island for its beaches and inland resorts.
The question now remains, will it be implemented or not?
For Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, optimistic is an understatement. But she promised that efforts are ongoing for the construction of the bridge.
“How optimistic I am? I don’t want to talk about positive levels but we are doing our best efforts na masugdan na siya within the next three years, ” Duterte told media.
She said in her talks with the contractors, a 1.5-kilometer (Davao-Samal) bridge is easy to build due to the availability of the technology that will be used in connecting islands.
“So far very positive ang development. They are now in stage 2 of their feasibility study. There is already a design from the Department of Public Works and Highways,” she said.
During her State of the City Address (SOCA) last October 14, Duterte has called out to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) central office for the speedy process of the documents that will pave way for the construction of the bridge.
“Nanawagan po ako sa NEDA na tulungan kami dahil ang papeles ng Davao City and Samal ay nasa NEDA pa,” Duterte said.
On October 16, NEDA announced through a statement that necessary actions have been undertaken for the said projects.
NEDA 11 as Secretariat of the Regional Development Council (RDC 11) has undertaken the necessary actions for the review and evaluation of these projects prior to their presentation to the NEDA Investment CoordinationCommittee (ICC) and onwards to the NEDA Board chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte.
The Infrastructure Development Committee of the RDC XI also convened last Oct. 8 for a Special Meeting upon the request of project proponents for RDC XI endorsements of variousinfrastructure project proposals. The Davao-Samal Bridge was among the projects endorsed by the Committee during the meeting.
