The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has deferred the opening of the Davao City Coastal Bypass Road Segment B, which covers the Tulip Drive–Roxas Avenue section and was scheduled for December 16, 2025.
In an advisory, DPWH said the postponement was made in the interest of public safety, citing the need for additional safety measures and further assessments to ensure the protection of motorists and other road users.
The agency apologized for any inconvenience the delay may cause and assured the public that safety and welfare remain its top priority. DPWH said it will issue updates once the road segment is ready for opening.
The deferment comes amid earlier concerns raised by Davao City acting Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte over the planned partial opening of the still-unfinished road segment.
Duterte said the planned opening of Segment B was being pursued by DPWH following what he described as a “careless pronouncement” by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who announced during an inspection on December 4 that the coastal road segment, including the Bucana Bridge, would open to motorists by December 15 in time for the Christmas holidays.
In a statement issued on December 15, Duterte stressed that Segment B remains under DPWH jurisdiction and has not yet been officially turned over to the city government because the project is still incomplete.
“The Segment B of the coastal road remains under the jurisdiction of DPWH, as it has not yet been officially turned over to the LGU, primarily because the project is still unfinished. According to DPWH, all four lanes are scheduled for completion by March 2026,” Duterte said.
He added that an inspection conducted by the Davao City Road Project Advisory and Monitoring Board (DCRPAMB) on December 14 found that only two lanes were nearing completion, while streetlights, safety barriers, and traffic signages were lacking at the Roxas exit.
Duterte said members of the DCRPAMB questioned DPWH officials on why the segment was set to open despite its incomplete status, but no clear explanation was provided.
“The integrity and safety of public roads must not be compromised simply because a deadline has been carelessly set,” he said.
Duterte warned motorists of possible traffic congestion if the segment were prematurely opened.
The acting mayor further said DPWH should be held accountable should any untoward incident occur due to inadequate lighting and safety measures, while also questioning the authority under which the decision to open the unfinished segment was made.
Despite his objections, Duterte said the city government would have no choice but to allow the opening should national authorities insist, even as it continues to raise concerns over public safety.
