More than just a bridge connecting Davao City and Samal Island, the Samal Island-Davao City (SIDC) Connector is seen as the pathway to development for the two cities and the entire region.
Set back fr a number of times, the groundbreaking ceremony for the P 19.23-billion China-funded Samal Island-Davao City (SIDC) Connector Project finally pushed through on Thursday at the Damosa Land Property, Brgy. Hizon in Lanang, Davao City.
Significantly, the ceremony meant the project is not just imaginary blueprint referred to in street language as “drawing.”
No less than President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. led the ceremony, together with Vice President Sara Duterte and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian. They also led the burying of the time capsule for the project.
Also in attendance were some members of the Cabinet including Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, Mayor Al David Uy of the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS), Governor Edwin Jubahib of Davao del Norte, Chinese Consul General Li Lin, and officials of the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), which is the Chinese contractor of the project.
In his speech, Marcos said that once completed, the 3.86-kilometer, four-lane bridge will help develop the economic potential of Davao City and IGaCoS, as well as enhance its residents’ access to employment, education, and other services.
Marcos said the bridge is expected to accommodate up to 25,000 vehicles daily and reduce travel time between Samal and Davao City from 50 minutes to just four and a half minutes.
Marcos said the project is a testament to the strong and ever-growing foundation of the bilateral relations and cooperation between the Philippines and China.
“It is for us to express also our gratitude to the government of the People’s Republic of China as they were an active member and have always been a dependable partner in this infrastructure development program. This is not the only project that we have depended upon, concessional loans and even grants from the government of the People’s Republic of China, and it is clear to see the benefits that those projects bring to our people, our economy, and the Philippines,” he said.
He said in 2027, this bridge is also foreseen to ease the convenience of travel and transport, bringing forth gainful opportunities for many people by providing a link between relatively far-flung areas and economic centers, thereby ensuring smoother mobility of people and goods.
Marcos said the project will provide easier access to tourism spots and ensures speedy recuperation from the setbacks brought about by the pandemic.
He also said the project will help improve the peace and order situation in the area, as well as ensure faster and more efficient aid distribution during times of calamities.
He also underscored the important role of the DPWH not only in ensuring the completion of this project but also in the broader task of nation-building.
“At this juncture, I would also like to explain that this is — I am only fortunate to have been sitting as President when we broke ground for this very important project. This project actually was formally begun by then Secretary Mark Villar under the Duterte administration. And it began formally to put together the projects in 2018. So the previous administration had already been working on this project for four years before we arrived this day. However, I am looking forward to also once again being the lucky one to open the bridge when it is finished,” he said.
Marcos said the bridge affirms his administration’s commitment and resolve to become a sturdy and purposeful link that bridges gaps between physical and geographical barriers, but also the various social structures that need to be connected and fortified as one.
“We credit this project to all the people, both past and present, who have worked very hard to realize this grand infrastructure for it is through the efforts of very many people working very, very hard and their compounded efforts that we will soon harvest fruits that will benefit all. Ladies and gentlemen, as your leader whose mandate is predicated upon the message of hope and unity, let me underscore the significant message that is also encapsulated in this occasion,” he said.
Meanwhile, Duterte thanked the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte and former DPWH secretary now Senator, Mark Villar, for starting the project. She also thanked the administration of Marcos for the continuity of the SIDC project.
The bridge will connect the Samal Circumferential Road to the R. Castillo–Daang Maharlika junction in Davao City.
In January last year, the Department of Public Works and Highways signed a P19.32-billion contract with a Chinese firm for the design and construction of the bridge.
Bonoan said this will be the first bridge that will go over an interisland connector.
“We are very happy that the project will now finally come to its realization. The bridge will foster economic development in the region particularly the Davao area and Samal, which is a tourist destination in the Davao Region. This is also one of the projects that the Philippine government and the Chinese government are looking into,” he said.
