ENVIRONMENTAL advocates have lauded the Supreme Court (SC) en banc for issuing a Writ of Kalikasan on the controversial Samal Island–Davao City Connector (SIDC) Bridge project.
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 said 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 groups reiterated that petitioners have raised alarm over the irreversible damage caused by the project to the marine ecosystems of Paradise Reef in Samal Island and the Hizon Marine Protected Area in Davao City.
“We call on government agencies and private entities involved to respect the process and prioritize environmental integrity over profit or expediency. Infrastructure must never come at the cost of environmental destruction and the disenfranchisement of communities,” their statement read.
The advocates commended the petitioners and concerned citizens for defending the planet, future generations, and a development model that is “just, inclusive, and sustainable.”
They also welcomed the SC's decision to refer the plea for a Temporary Environmental Protection Order (TEPO) to the Court of Appeals in Cagayan de Oro, calling it a sign of the case’s urgency and gravity.
On the same day, the SC named the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Samal Island Protected Landscape and Seascape Protected Area Management Board, and China Road and Bridge Corporation as respondents. The Court ordered them to file a verified return of the petition within a non-extendible period of ten days from the writ's service.
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.
In response, the department said it would submit a verified return containing “accurate, complete, and science-based” information to assist the Court in its deliberations.
“As the DENR’s regulatory authority in the Davao Region, we reaffirm our strong commitment to enforce environmental laws and ensure all projects comply fully with the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) System and other legal requirements,” the agency said.
DENR-Davao also expressed its full cooperation with the judicial process, adding that it is ready to provide the necessary documents, environmental assessments, and records.
“We remain an evidence-based institution committed to promoting development that is both sustainable and environmentally responsible,” the statement read.
The agency reiterated its role as a dedicated partner of the Filipino people, working to advance inclusive, sustainable development while safeguarding the environment for present and future generations.
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.
Meanwhile, the DPWH reported that as of June 27, 2025, the SIDC project is 38 percent complete—significantly ahead of its 16 percent target, with a positive slippage of 22 percent.
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