THE Court of Appeals denied issuing a Temporary Environmental Protection Order (Tepo) for the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) project, also known as Davao-Samal Bridge, citing that the “disruption would harm public interest.”
In a document posted by Island Garden City of Samal Manuel "Toto" Reyes on Friday, July 11, 2025, it stipulated that the CA issuing a Tepo in the stage of construction of the project would be “a disruption to the government infrastructure that is already in progress”, which would harm the public interest.
"The Court RESOLVES to DENY petitioner's prayer for the issuance of a Temporary Environmental Protection Order," it said.
The document was signed by Associate Justice Anisah Amandin-Umpa and concurred by Associate Justices Evalyn Arellano-Morales and Jill Rose Jaugan-Lo.
Reyes expressed his joy over the decision of the CA, saying: "Kini ang pinaka nindot nga balita… PADAYON ang TULAY… thank you Lord (This is the best news... the construction of the bridge would continue...thank you Lord)."
A Tepo is a provisional order issued by a court directing a person or entity performing an act that may cause environmental damage to halt whatever it is doing. The Tepo ensures the preservation of the status quo where the environmental harm is ongoing or is likely to occur pending the final resolution of the environmental case.
On July 1, 2025, the Supreme Cout (SC) ordered 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 10 days from the writ's service.
SC also referred the case for a Tepo to the Court of Appeals in Cagayan de Oro, for action.
To recall, the petition for the Writ of Kalikasan was filed on April 21, 2025, by residents and environmental groups, urging the halting of construction activities threatening vital coral ecosystems. While supportive of the bridge project in principle, the petitioners are seeking its realignment to protect marine biodiversity.
A Writ of Kalikasan is a legal remedy granted to protect the constitutional right to a balanced and healthful ecology when such is violated or threatened by unlawful acts or omissions.
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