THE Samal Island–Davao City Connector (SIDC) project, known as the Samal-Davao Bridge, has officially commenced on the Island Garden City of Samal's (Igacos) side.
Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib provided an update, stating that foundational bridge posts and soil testing are underway on Igacos' side, with equipment from China Road and Bridge Corporation, the project's contractor, being employed.
"Nagpadayon man, ongoing ang pagtrabaho niini, nakita nato naa'y resistance pero nakita nato nga padayon ang construction sa maong bridge (The work on this project continues. We have encountered some resistance, but we have also witnessed the construction of this bridge moving forward)," Jubahib said at the sidelines of the 74th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China on Thursday evening, September 21, at dusitD2 hotel.
Legal disputes had arisen in both the Supreme Court (SC) and the Court of Appeals, stemming from a case brought by the Lucas-Rodriguez family, owners of the renowned Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort and Costa Marina Beach Resort in the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos), who contested the SIDC project.
However, the cases filed were dismissed in the Court of Appeals.
The group, led by the Rodriguez family, also submitted a Petition for Continuing Mandamus to the Supreme Court, seeking a Temporary Environmental Protection Order (TEPO), Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), and Writ of Preliminary Injunction to halt the construction of the SIDC bridge. They are still awaiting a decision from the Supreme Court on their request.
In light of these legal challenges, Jubahib expressed hope that the cases will be resolved, as the completion of the project could greatly benefit Igacos' development.
“Isa sab ni nga gihatagan og suporta sa atong current president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., kay giapil gyud ni niya sa iyang [State of the Nation Address] nga kining [SIDC] mapadayon (This project has also received support from our current president, Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., as he included it in his State of the Nation Address, emphasizing that the bridge will continue to progress),” Jubahib added. ICE