Manila: A group of environmental advocates on Monday filed a Writ of Kalikasan before the Supreme Court seeking to halt the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) project due to its alleged destruction of critical coral ecosystems in the Davao Gulf.

According to Philippines News Agency, petitioners Ecoteneo, Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability Inc., Sustainable Davao Movement, and Marvelous Camilo stated that the project threatens Paradise Reef in Samal Island and a Marine Protected Area in Davao City. The group claims that the construction of the SIDC project is resulting in actual, serious, and irreversible damage to the coral reefs in Paradise Reef and in Hizon Marine Protected Areas, which they argue violates the constitutional right to a balanced and healthful ecology.

They further added that the ongoing construction is violating Republic Act Nos. 11038, also known as the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas Systems Act of 2018, and 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

The 3.9-kilometer project, being undertaken by the China Road and Bridge Corporation, is valued at PHP23 billion, with PHP19 billion borrowed from China. It features a width of 24 meters and will require 42,328 square meters from Davao City and 21,052 square meters from the Island Garden City of Samal.

Aside from the contractor, the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Samal Island Protected Landscape and Seascape Protected Area Management Board were also named as respondents in the petition.