“Under the Mega-Bridge Program, 12 bridges totaling 90 kilometers will be constructed, connecting islands and areas separated by waters. The Program notably includes the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge [applause] and the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges, each spanning 32 kilometers, and also the Samal Island-Davao City Connector Bridge,” read part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), which mentioned his infrastructure priorities.  

“When PBBM  mentioned the Samal bridge, I felt there is hope that our long dream will be coming true,” said businessman Andrew Remolona, who in the previous years of doing business in the Island Garden City of Samal, has felt the pressing need for a bridge that will connect Samal Island and the mainland of Davao City.

Remolona manages the lone branch of a popular convenience store chain in Samal. In a week, he spends four days in Samal and three days in Davao City, where he maintains his residence. He took over the business in 2020, when the original franchisee-his father-in-law died and his wife’s family, deciding to sustain the business, asked him to run the convenience store. And ever since Remolona has made traversing the Samal-Davao City route a weekly routine.

“Napakalaking tulong ng tulay; number one, hindi ka na kailangang pumila; second, hindi ka na mag-aaksaya ng oras sa paghihintay especially for us businessmen time is gold; and third, nakatitipid ka kasi wala ka nang iisiping bayad para sa barge back and forth. For us sa four wheels it is P250 per trip, for motorcycles P100 per trip, so isipin mo kung may tulay ‘yung bayad namin sa barge, pwede ko na pang-gas,” Remolona said.