Barangay captains of the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) expressed support to the construction of the ‘dream bridge’ Samal Island-Davao City (SIDC) Connector Project collectively agreeing it will boost the economy of the island.
Out of 46 barangay captains, 43 were present and showed their support during the dialogue led by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), provincial government of Davao del Norte, and local government unit (LGU) of IGaCoS on Saturday at Club Samal Resort, Babak, Samal Island.
Limao Barangay captain Eric Obiso said the proposed bridge has a huge impact in his barangay in terms of attracting investors.
“Kaning tulay dako ug impact ni sa among barangay. Syempre daghan mga negosyante didto. Gani karon dako akong problema sa mga lote kay daghan na negosyante didto na nag claim sa ilahang mga lote. Diha nato makita na kursunada na gyud sila na gamiton ilang area,” he said.
Obiso said his brangay constituents fully support for the bridge and is hoping that the project will soon start its construction.
Caliclic Barangay captain Anne Dalumpines said the bridge will be beneficial to the residents of the said barangay who have been longing for a long time for its development.
“Naa man mga options kung asa tugpa ang tulay mas malipay gani mi kung sa amo mismo mutugpa. Bisan unsa na project naa gyud maapektuhan sa environment so bisan asa nato ibutang ang tulay naa gyud maapektuhan. Kung nabutang man sa Lucas property, lipay gihapon mi kay duol lang na sa amoa. Beneficial ni sa tanan taga Caliclic. Dugay naman nato ni ginahamdum ug dili lang taga Samal ang entire Region 11 seguro, naghandum gyud ug tulay gumikan sa transportation in and out diri Samal,” he said.
Obiso said he is saddened that the Rodriguez-Lucas family has expressed opposition due to alignment concern.
“Sad to say naay pamilya nga dili gusto sa tulay kay maguba ang mga corals. Wala kami knowledge sa mga corals diha ilalom sa dagat kay dili mi marine biologists. Kung naa man maigo na corals ilalom sa kadagatan ang gobyerno naa pud seguro pamaagi nga mauli kung unsa man ang madaut,” he said.
Mayor Al David Uy of IGaCoS said the 120,000 Samaleños and more than 2 million Dabawenyos have been waiting for the bridge.
“Dugay na ni wala pa ko natawo gi-istoryahan nani. The 120,000 Samaleños plus the more than 2 million Dabawenyos , kung naa man dili gusto pila ra man seguro. Comes development puwede man nato ubanan ug protection for the environment,” he said.
Meanwhile, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) director general Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, who was present during the dialogue, is also hopeful that the issues will be resolved so that the implementation of the project will take off.
The priority of the new administration is for the continuation of the massive infrastructure program ng ating Presidente at isa sa malalaking projects ay andito sa Mindanao kasama na itong bridge. I believe the project will redown to substantial inprovement in terms of economic well-being if the city province, island at lalo na sa mga nakatira dito. Sana ma resolve nating lahat na mga issues na nagorevent sa immediate implementation of the project para ma realize na yung nakikita nating benefits,” he said.
The dialogue was also attended by Davao del Norte Gov. Edwin Jubahib and DPWH officials.
