The environmental group Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS), Inc. reiterated on Tuesday the environmental risks posed by the current alignment of the P23.52 billion Samal Island-Davao City (SIDC) Connector Project.
The SIDC project’s current design features a four-lane cable-stayed bridge with a total length of 3.98 kilometers, including approaches. The bridge spans the Pakiputan Strait, connecting the northeastern part of Davao City to the northwestern area of Samal Island. Its landing points are located in Barangay Hizon, Davao City, and Barangay Limao, Samal Island.
In a statement, IDIS emphasized that the present alignment of the SIDC Connector Project poses significant environmental risks to two critical marine ecosystems: the Paradise Reef near the Island Garden City of Samal and the Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Barangay Hizon, Davao City.
According to the group, these areas are ecologically significant as they serve as vital refuges for marine biodiversity and contribute to the well-being of local communities and the region’s environmental sustainability.
The group warned that proceeding with construction along this alignment could lead to significant disruptions. Activities such as pile driving, dredging, and land reclamation are expected to cause direct physical damage to coral reefs and seagrass beds, leading to breakage, sedimentation, and the eventual destruction of marine life.
IDIS further highlighted that sediment runoff, chemical discharges, and construction waste would negatively impact water quality.
Additionally, the group noted that noise and vibrations from heavy machinery could disturb or injure fish, invertebrates, and marine mammals, further threatening biodiversity.
“These environmental disturbances would fundamentally undermine the purpose of Barangay Hizon’s MPA, a zone established to protect marine life and promote ecological harmony,” the group stated.
IDIS clarified that it does not oppose building the bridge to serve the people of Samal and Davao, acknowledging the need for improved connectivity, accessibility, and infrastructure to support the growth of both regions.
“However, as an environmental non-governmental organization, we have a duty to ensure that such development is sustainable, science-based, and socially just. Infrastructure should not come at the cost of destroying ecosystems that provide life-supporting services – clean water, coastal protection, biodiversity, and livelihoods. We firmly believe that it is possible to pursue progress without compromising the health of our natural environment,” the group declared.
IDIS called on all stakeholders—government agencies, developers, and communities—to collaborate in finding solutions that balance progress and environmental protection.
“True sustainable development must serve not only the needs of today but also safeguard the health and well-being of future generations. Let us build a future where infrastructure and environmental stewardship go hand in hand,” the group urged.
Recently, four Davao City environmental groups filed a petition for a Writ of Kalikasan before the Supreme Court, seeking to halt the construction of the SIDC project.
The petitioners argued that the construction activities are causing damage to two critical coral ecosystems: the Paradise Reef in Samal and the Hizon Marine Protected Area in Davao City.
Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) recently reported that the SIDC Connector Project’s overall physical progress has exceeded 12 percent, with construction efforts primarily focused on the bridge’s foundation and substructure.
