THE Davao City-based environmental group Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) reiterated its concerns over the ecological threat posed by the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) bridge project and called for respectful discourse on the issue.
The group said it has been voicing this concern since 2022 and has connected with national agencies, local government units, and communities through consultations, meetings, and formal position papers to advocate for an ecological course of action.
“Our position is not sudden. It is a continuation of our longstanding commitment to sustainable development. Since the project’s inception, we have been calling attention to the fact that the current alignment cuts through a thriving ecosystem – contrary to claims by proponents that the area is ecologically insignificant,” Idis said in a statement.
In 2024, construction activities for the project led to the cutting down of trees in Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal. The loss of the trees is an example of the ecological costs that could have been mitigated or even avoided if an environmental route had been chosen.
“Let us be clear: Idis is not against building the bridge for the people of Samal and Davao. We recognize and respect the need for improved connectivity, accessibility, and infrastructure to support both region’s growth,” the group said.
Idis said that as an environmental group, it is their duty to ensure that development is sustainable, science-based, and socially just. They said that infrastructure must not be “at the cost of destroying the ecosystem”, which provides clean water, coastal protection, biodiversity, and livelihood.
Idis said that the current alignment of the SIDC bridge project poses a huge threat to two critical marine habitats, which are vital sanctuaries of marine life that sustains the livelihood of people and the area's environmental health. These two critical areas are Paradise Reef off the coast of the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) and the Marine Protected Area of Barangay Hizon in Davao City. If the construction continues, major disruptions are expected in these marine habitats.
Idis stated that pile driving, dredging, and land reclamation may cause destruction to the coral reefs and seagrass beds, which will lead to breakage, sediment burial, and the death of marine organisms.
The sediment runoff, chemical leakage, and solid waste from the construction can degrade the quality of water and can displace fish, invertebrates, and marine mammals.
Respectful discourse on the issue
To recall, a writ of Kalikasan was filed with the Supreme Court (SC) on April 21, 2025, seeking to halt the construction of the SIDC by residents, environmental advocates, and community organizations. This led to mixed reactions from netizens.
Mark Peñalver, executive director of Idis, denounced the series of online comments that labeled their organization as terrorists and even threatened their members.
The comments appeared on a Facebook post regarding a petition filed before the Supreme Court to halt the construction of the P23-billion Davao-Samal bridge.
Among the remarks made under the name "SMNI Support" were direct accusations and statements in Bisaya suggesting violence against Idis members, including one that read, “IDIS TERORISTA POD NI SILA.”
Peñalver took to social media to express concern over the threats, stating that such comments contribute to a hostile environment for groups defending environmental and community rights.
“This isn’t just a threat to an organization — it's a threat to the people who are genuinely working to protect your rights and the environment you live in,” Peñalver wrote. “These kinds of threats have no place in a democracy.”
The comments are no longer visible, as of writing. Peñalver said he was posting publicly to ensure awareness and accountability.
Idis said that in light of the issue, they encourage the public to engage in “respectful and fact-based discussions.”
The group said that they condemn the labelling of the group as “terrorists or leftists” and that these accusations are baseless and are dangerous. This undermines the democratic dialogue and the genuine concerns of civil society organizations that are working to uphold environmental protection.
The group said they committed to peaceful, lawful, and inclusive advocacy and called on government agencies, developers, and communities to forge solutions that uphold progress and the protection of the environment.
The group added that sustainable development must not only serve the needs of today, but also the health and future generations.
Idis is one of the organizations raising environmental concerns over the Davao-Samal bridge project, particularly its potential impact on marine biodiversity and coastal ecosystems in Davao City. RGP