ISLAND Garden City of Samal (Igacos) Mayor Lemuel “Toto” Reyes is standing by the construction of the Samal Island–Davao City Connector (SIDC) Bridge, despite the Supreme Court's issuance of a Writ of Kalikasan on July 1, 2025, citing its long-term benefits for Samaleños.
In a statement posted on social media on July 4, Mayor Reyes reiterated the city government's full support for the project, calling it a “vital infrastructure” that will significantly boost connectivity, mobility, and economic development between Samal and Davao City.
He said the bridge is not just a structure, but also a long-term investment in service and opportunity for Samaleños.
He called for proper and responsible implementation of the project, expressing hope for a quality outcome that truly benefits Samal residents. Reyes warned that halting construction would only delay much-needed development in the area.
As of July 2025, the Department of Public Works and Highways–Davao (DPWH-Davao) reported that the bridge is 38 percent complete. The agency also maintained that the project has the necessary Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), countering claims that it proceeded without proper environmental clearance.
However, the Supreme Court issued the Writ of Kalikasan in response to a petition filed by environmental advocates Carmela Marie Santos, Mark Peñalver, and the Sustainable Davao Movement. The petition claims the ongoing construction is causing “actual, serious, and irreversible damage” to coral reefs at Paradise Reef in Samal Island and to a marine protected area in Davao City.
The High Court ordered respondents—including the DPWH, DENR, Samal Island Protected Landscape and Seascape Protected Area Management Board, and China Road and Bridge Corporation—to file a verified return within 10 days. It also referred the petitioners' request for a Temporary Environmental Protection Order (TEPO) to the Court of Appeals in Cagayan de Oro.
Environmental groups welcomed the Supreme Court's move, calling it a crucial reminder that ecological protection must not be sidelined by large infrastructure projects.
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.
“In compliance with the Court's directive, the DPWH, as one of the named respondents, is currently reviewing the matter through its Legal Service and will submit a verified return within 10 calendar days from the official receipt of the Writ,” the statement said.
“The DPWH assures the public that it will address the petition by all applicable legal procedures and environmental regulations,” it added.
The P23-billion, 3.98-kilometer SIDC Bridge is funded through a loan agreement with China and is expected to reduce travel time between Davao City and Samal from 30 minutes by ferry to just 5 minutes by land.
Reyes remains hopeful that, despite legal and environmental challenges, the bridge will be completed and will directly improve the quality of life for both communities it aims to connect. DEF