Mayor Al David Uy of the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) told the media that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will be conducting expropriation for the properties in both Samal and Davao City sides, which will be affected by the construction of the Samal Island-Davao City (SIDC) Connector Project.
This came after opposition from various groups persists despite the groundbreaking held on Thursday.
“Dili na malikayan in all government projects naa man gyud supak but I do believe naay himoon na expropriation ang DPWH. Nahatag na namo tanan documents nga kinahanglan ug ang expropriation will be with DPWH. I think Solicitor General ang maglihok ana. I think it (expropriation) is being done murag nagsugod na sila sa expropriation for both Samal and Davao City sides. In fact as early as 2020 naa nay mga istorya na kung mag ginahi gyud, expropriation. Sa karon it is being discussed. Ganiha gipangutana nako ang DPWH ang sulti nila sa akoa they will start the expropriation,” Uy said in an interview during the groundbreaking of the SIDC project held on Thursday at the Damosa Land Property in Brgy. Hizon, Lanang, Davao City.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan assured that the proposed bridge has undergone a very exhaustive project preparation and has taken into account all the possible environmental and technical aspects that are best and most economical for the project.
“No less than the Department of the Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) has given its approval,” he said.
Bonoan also shared that the DPWH has faced many challenges preparing for the project and it could not be made possible without the support, assistance, and collaboration of the LGU concerned, DENR, and other government agencies.
Meanwhile, Uy expressed happiness that the bridge finally had a groundbreaking.
“Dakong pasalamat para sa mga taga Samal una kay former President Rodrigo Duterte for starting the project and of course kay President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for making it into a reality,” he said.
Bonoan said the project groundbreaking commenced the project implementation for a Design and Build under the Marcos administration.
The Design and Build prepared by contractor China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) identified a total of 97 boreholes – 63 for Davao onshore, 18 offshore, and 16 for Samal onshore.
“The SIDC project is significant to support the growth potential of the Davao Region as it connects the beautiful IGaCoS and the highly urbanized Davao City. The long wait is finally over and this long-planned project finally comes to its realization,” he said.
