THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported that one of the tunnels of the Davao City Bypass Construction Project (DCBCP) has finally been connected.
Emil K. Sadain, Senior Undersecretary of the DPWH, said on April 11, 2025 that the north and south portal ends of the northbound tunnel have been successfully connected. He added that the excavation works for the remaining 202 meters of the southbound tunnel are already 91 percent complete.
Sadain said the road mountain tunnel under Contract Package (CP) I-1, which spans 10.7 kilometers (km), is now 58.7 percent complete. It is being constructed by the Shimizu-Ulticon-Takenaka joint venture.
The locally funded portions of the bypass road under CP II-1 and CP II-2 are now 72.83 percent and 63.89 percent complete, respectively. CP II-1, which spans 2.54 km and is valued at P4.33 billion, features a 1.3-km four-lane road and seven bridges. Its completion is targeted for the first quarter of 2026. Meanwhile, CP II-2 — a 3.52-km road section worth P4.60 billion — is slated for completion in the third quarter of 2026.
Meanwhile, the other segments, CP I-2 and CP I-3, are also progressing steadily, while Package II-3 will soon begin its procurement activities.
“Located at the challenging mountainous terrain, DCBCP will offer motorists a safer and more efficient alternative route, effectively decongesting traffic within Davao City and enhancing regional connectivity,” DPWH said in its statement.
The DCBCP is financed through a combination of a loan agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) and funding from the City Government of Davao. The project spans from Barangay Sirawan in Toril, Davao City to Barangay J.P. Laurel in Panabo City.
Once completed, the DCBCP will reduce travel time from Toril to Panabo City from 1 hour and 44 minutes to just 49 minutes. This is expected to boost economic activity and expand business opportunities as well as tourism — not only in the Davao Region but throughout Mindanao. RGP