DAVAO CITY (PIA) – President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has assured the gains of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project once completed five years from now, emphasizing on economic growth and enhanced access to government services for the people of Davao City and Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte.

Pres. Marcos personally did the honors of leading the ceremonial groundbreaking of the SIDC bridge project on Thursday (Oct. 27) at the Damosa Land Properties in Davao City, along with Vice President Sara Duterte, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Philippines Huang Xilian, Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan, and other national and local government officials.

This officially signaled the commencement of implementation of the much-awaited P23.04 billion four-lane bridge project with a length of 3.98 kilometers, which will connect the Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte, to Davao City.

“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 relatively far-flung areas and economic centers, thereby we ensure smoother mobility of people and of goods,” he stated.

The project is expected to accommodate up to 25,000 vehicles daily and reduce travel time between Samal and Davao from 50 minutes to just four and a half minutes.

Pres. Marcos also raised the importance of the bridge in providing easier access to tourism spots and ensuring the speedy recuperation from the setbacks brought about by the pandemic.

“I also believe that, through this project, we will further improve the peace and order situation in the area, as well as ensure the faster and more efficient aid distribution during times of calamities,” he added.

In his message, the President thanked the People’s Republic of China, saying “as they were an active member and have always been a dependable partner in this infrastructure development program.”

“This is not the only project that we have depended upon, the concessional loans and even grants from the government of the People’s Republic of China, and it is clear to see the benefits that those projects bring to our people, to our economy, and to the Philippines.”

He also recognized the efforts of former President Rodrigo Duterte and then DPWH Secretary Mark Villar for putting together the project since 2018.  

“I am only the fortunate to have been sitting as President when we broke ground for this very important project,” Pres. Marcos stated, and added that he is looking forward to open the bridge when it is finished in 2027.

The President underscored the important role of DPWH as the government’s engineering and construction arm, “not only in ensuring the completion of this project but also in the broader task of nation-building.”

In his message, DPWH Sec. Bonoan said that the realization of the SIDC project marked another breakthrough in the country’s infrastructure landscape.

He has assured that the SIDC bridge project would have no adverse effect to the environment, saying “…by adopting state-of-the-art modern technology in the construction of deep foundation for sea-crossing bridge. The alignment will not also affect the mountainous terrain of the Island Garden City of Samal.”

Meanwhile, IGACOS Mayor Al David Uy expressed his gratitude to former President Duterte for spearheading the project and to President Marcos “for making this into reality.”

Davao City 2nd District Representative Vincent Garcia said the Samal-Davao connector project will bring convenience to the public as people are experiencing long-waiting time to ride the barge crossing Davao Gulf to and from Davao City. (PIA-XI/Carina L. Cayon)