DAVAO City Acting Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte said he respects the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision on the issuance of the Writ of Kalikasan for the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project, but he is more concerned about how long the Dabawenyos and Samaleños waited for its completion.
Duterte said the rule of law must be upheld and that the legal process should be followed; however, he also recognizes the right of every Filipino to a balanced and healthy environment.
“I must emphasize that this bridge is designed to serve ordinary Dabawenyos and Samaleños by providing safer, faster, and more affordable travel between our cities. This project promises reduced transport costs, increased trade and tourism, and more jobs for local communities,” he said in a statement on July 4, 2025.
Duterte said that the people have waited for the construction of the SIDC for decades, and it is disappointing that a project intended to benefit the public is now facing delays because of environmental concerns “raised selectively by those whose business interests are most affected.”
He said that the petitioners and individuals who chose to oppose the project should reflect on whether their objections truly prioritize environmental protection or aim to preserve private commercial interests.
“Environmental protection is indeed essential. I fully support sustainable development and responsible stewardship of natural resources. This project has undergone environmental studies, secured clearances, and was designed to minimize its impact,” he said.
Duterte said the project continues to face delays due to a few powerful interests, leaving ordinary people waiting for its construction. He stressed that true environmentalism should strike a balance between ecological concerns and the need for inclusive progress that would help lift people out of poverty.
He then called on all stakeholders to consider the broader impact of the SC’s decision on the growth and lives of Dabawenyos and Samaleños who would benefit from the project. He hopes that the necessary requirements will be addressed and that construction will proceed.
Duterte said that everyone should work toward development that is responsible and inclusive. Progress must serve not only the few but the greater good, and justice and reason should prevail to ensure that the SIDC becomes a reality for future generations.
Meanwhile, on the same day, Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) Mayor Lemuel “Toto” Reyes stood by the construction of the SIDC, citing its long-term benefits for Samaleños. In a Facebook post, Reyes reiterated the Local Government Unit’s (LGU) support for the project, calling it a “vital infrastructure” that will significantly boost connectivity, mobility, and economic development between Samal and Davao City.
The SC on July 1, 2025, ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Samal Island Protected Landscape and Seascape Protected Area Management Board, and China Road and Bridge Corporation to file a verified return of the petition within a non-extendible period of ten days from the writ's service.
In a joint statement issued on July 1, 2025, the Ateneo Public Interest and Legal Advocacy (Apila), Green Juris, Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (Idis), and Ecoteneo welcomes the decision of the SC and that the Court's action sends a strong message that “no development is above the law especially when it endangers the environment and community welfare.”
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Davao Region (DENR-Davao) stated on July 2, 2025, acknowledging the Supreme Court's issuance of the Writ of Kalikasan concerning an ongoing environmental case and that they would submit a verified return containing “accurate, complete, and science-based” information to assist the Court in its deliberations.
In response, DPWH-Davao confirmed it would continue the project pending any formal suspension. The agency stressed that it is complying with all legal requirements and is ready to submit the documents ordered by the Court. The department said that they are in the process of reviewing the matter through their legal service and that they will submit a verified return once they officially receive the Writ of Kalikasan.
Funded through Official Development Assistance (ODA) from the People’s Republic of China, the project is managed by the DPWH Unified Project Management Office–Bridges Management Cluster and implemented by China Road and Bridge Corporation.
The toll-free, four-lane extradosed bridge will span 4.76 kilometers, connecting R. Castillo-Daang Maharlika in Davao City to the Samal Circumferential Road. It features a 275-meter main span, 47-meter vertical clearance for marine traffic, and a 1.62-kilometer marine section supported by 73-meter-high pylons. The project includes roundabouts, ramps, and approach roads.
Once completed, the bridge is expected to significantly reduce travel time, boost tourism, and promote economic activity across the Davao Region. RGP