Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday delivered a firm reminder that the newly inaugurated Bucana Bridge—now a vital link in Davao City’s Coastal Bypass Road network—stands today because of the direct intervention of former President Rodrigo Duterte and the full financial support of the Chinese government.
According to the vice president, the Davao City Coastal Road had secured funding during her tenure as mayor, but the Bucana Bridge itself had no budget at all. Faced with this gap, she said she elevated the matter to then-President Duterte, who immediately moved to secure the necessary financing.
“Siya (FPRRD) ang naghanap ng paraan para mabigyan ng pondo yung bridge. Noong nakahanap siya ng pondo, sinimulan ang negotiations, planning, at lahat ng paperwork,” she said.
With funding finally in place, the project’s planning and documentation proceeded, eventually paving the way for the bridge’s construction.
“Ngayon, nandiyan na ang bridge. Kaya dapat natin itong pasalamatan—bilang isang Dabawenyo at para sa mga taga-Mindanao na nakikinabang sa coastal road. Nagpapasalamat kami kay dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte dahil hindi siya tumigil sa paghahanap ng pondo para sa tulay. At syempre, nagpapasalamat tayo sa People’s Republic of China dahil sila ang nag-shoulder ng buong cost ng tulay. Walang ginastos ang city government of Davao at ang Pilipinas,” she said, stressing that the bridge is indispensable in connecting the city’s southern and northern corridors.
Duterte reiterated her gratitude to China for fully funding the project, emphasizing that the structure now serves as a critical artery for smoother travel across Davao City.
Asked about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s statement that the Bucana Bridge forms part of his administration’s legacy, the vice president offered a concise but pointed response.
“Bilang Dabawenyo at Mindanaon, nagpapasalamat ako kay dating pangulong Duterte. Alam niya noon ang problema ko bilang mayor—may budget ang coastal road pero wala kaming budget para sa tulay. At gaya ng sinabi ko, ang source of funds ay ang People’s Republic of China. Sila ang pinasasalamatan ko,” she said.
