Davao city: The Department of Public Works and Highways-Davao (DPWH-11) confirmed that construction of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) project is advancing, notwithstanding the Supreme Court's issuance of a Writ of Kalikasan concerning the project.
According to Philippines News Agency, DPWH-11 spokesperson Dean Ortiz mentioned in an interview that the department has not received an official copy of the writ. Ortiz stated, "As of now, we do not have any instructions coming from the court [whether] to suspend or stop the project. So, we will continue."
The Supreme Court issued the Writ of Kalikasan on Tuesday in response to a case aiming to halt the SIDC project. The court has also instructed the respondents, including the DPWH, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Samal Island Protected Landscape and Seascape Protected Area Management Board, and China Road and Bridge Corporation, to submit a verified return on the petition within 10 days from the service of the writ.
Ortiz highlighted that halting construction would result in significant resource and time loss, adversely affecting the project, which is currently "38.08 percent completed." He expressed optimism that the project would proceed, emphasizing compliance with environmental protection guidelines.
Environmental groups, including APILA, Green Juris, Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) Inc., and Ecoteneo, have welcomed the Supreme Court's decision. Their support follows a petition by environmental advocates Carmela Marie Santos, Mark Pe±alver, and the Sustainable Davao Movement in April. The petitioners argue that the SIDC Project poses a threat to crucial marine ecosystems, particularly Paradise Reef in Samal Island and the Hizon Marine Protected Area in Davao City.
In response to the Supreme Court's directive, Ortiz assured that the DPWH, as a named respondent in the Writ of Kalikasan petition, will comply by filing a verified return within the stipulated 10-day period. He stated, "The DPWH remains committed to upholding the rule of law and respecting the processes set forth by the Supreme Court."
Ortiz also reassured the public that the department would address the petition in line with legal and environmental standards, reaffirming their mandate to balance infrastructure development with environmental and community welfare.
The SIDC bridge, a 3.9-km, four-lane cable-stayed structure, is designed to connect Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) across the Pakiputan Strait. It will have a vertical navigational clearance of 47 meters and will link the R. Castillo-Daang Maharlika junction in Davao City to the Samal Circumferential Road in Barangay Limao. Upon completion, the bridge is expected to accommodate up to 25,000 vehicles daily, reducing travel time between Davao City and Samal from 30 minutes by ferry to just five minutes.
