The Department of Public Works and Highways 11 (DPWH 11) is seeking additional funding from the national government to ensure the continuous construction of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project, warning that delays in fund releases could affect the bridge’s target completion in September 2028.
DPWH 11 spokesperson Dean I. Ortiz said the project remains on schedule despite receiving only a fraction of its requested budget for 2026.
“So the project is very well ongoing. As of the latest update in June 2026, we are at 61.334%. Our scheduled accomplishment is at 61.26%. So, we’re very well on track with a positive slippage of 0.065%. So right now, ang concentration sa atong trabaho is going to the superstructure na ta since we have already installed the box girders,” Ortiz said during Wednesday’s Habi at Kape media forum.
Ortiz said DPWH had requested P4.86 billion for the project in 2026 but has so far received only P314 million.
“We have requested a total of P4.86 billion for 2026, but ang na-release lang for this year is P314 million. But what we are doing is that since on track man ta, we have already requested additional funds from the national government aron dire-diretso ang atong trabaho,” he said.
Ortiz said the additional funding being requested will be used for the project’s civil works.
Ortiz acknowledged that the bridge’s September 2028 completion target could be pushed back if the remaining funds are not released this year.
“If wala’y releases for the rest of this calendar year, understandably, things will slow down. And then, of course, it follows that the schedule for the completion will also be moved. But at DPWH, we’re very hopeful na ma-release-an ta ug additional na pondo,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ortiz said construction has entered the superstructure phase after the completion of major foundation works.
“Katong mga makita ninyo karon na mga poste didto, katong mga gipa-nalubong na nato na mga columns, almost we can say nahuman na ta ana na phase. Diri na ta karon sa taas na portion,” he said.
Ortiz also refuted social media claims that work at the construction site had slowed or stopped.
Ortiz said work at the construction site follows adjusted hours to protect workers from the extreme heat, with shifts running from 6:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and resuming from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
He added that construction is often carried out around the clock, particularly during concrete pouring operations, as crews are working simultaneously on four sections of the project.
“But sa karon na daghan ta ug mga pouring na ginabuhat, most of the time, 24/7 ang trabaho nato since we are working on four simultaneous sections,” he said.
He added that the public may observe fewer workers on-site during midday due to safety measures against extreme heat but stressed that construction remains active.
“We are very confident that the project is ongoing and that people are there working,” Ortiz said.
