WITH the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Bridge Project (Davao-Samal Bridge) expected to commence its construction phase, Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) Mayor Al David Uy said that security measures will be placed to secure the area.
Uy told the members of the media in an ambush interview Thursday, October 27, during the groundbreaking of the SIDC Project at Lanang Beach Club in Davao City that it will be a top priority not only for the bridge project but for the island itself.
Uy bared that the island has a history of some lawless elements being able to sneak in the island.
"Security will always be there kasi even though kahit noon pa, may mga instances na ang Samal, unfortunately, may mga nakakapasok talaga na mga terorista (because even before, there are instances that in Samal, unfortunately, there are terrorists that are able to sneak in)," the mayor said.
"So ngayon, double ingat tayo (So now, we are extra careful) because with this, God forbid, di nato malikayan na naa gyud mga dautan og hunahuna diha. Mao nang di gyud ta magkumpyansa. Magbantay gihapon ta (we cannot avoid that there are people with malicious intentions. That’s why let us not be complacent. We must remain vigilant)," the mayor added.
Uy said he had already coordinated with the Police Regional Office-Davao Region (PRO-Davao), and other security forces to ensure the safety and security of the project construction.
Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib also said the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly the Eastern Mindanao Command, the 10th Infantry Division, and the Philippine Navy had pledged security for the project.
"Gisiguro na during sa implementation na walay mga mahitabong problema (We ensured that there won’t be any problems in the implementation)," Jubahib said.
As of now, he said he has not received any threats related to the project.
The national government, led by Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte led the groundbreaking of the P23-billion-worth bridge.
The SIDC is a two-way four-lane 3.86-km bridge with the main bridge having a length of 1.62-km long.
The China-funded project is envisioned as a modern bridge that will connect the Samal Circumferential Road in Barangay Limao, Island Garden City of Samal to Davao City in between R. Castillo-Daang Maharlika junction.
The target completion of the Samal-Davao bridge is by the year 2027.
Marcos, who led the lowering of the time capsule to signal the start of the construction of the bridge, said in his speech that the Davao-Samal Bridge will help develop the region’s economic potential and bolster access of Davaoeños to social services.
“Once completed, this bridge will help us develop the economic potential of Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal, as well as enhance its residents’ access to employment, education, and other social services,” the President said.
He said the bridge, once operational, could accommodate up to 25,000 vehicles daily and reduce travel time between Igacos and Davao City from 50 minutes via ferry to just 4.5 minutes.
“In 2027, this bridge will surely ease the convenience of travel and transport, bringing forth gainful opportunities for many of our people by providing a link between far-flung areas and economic centers, thereby ensuring smoother mobility of people and goods,” the President said. RGL