The construction of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) bridge will help develop the region’s economic potential and bolster access to Davaoeños of social services, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Thursday.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, the President said the 3.98-km Samal Island-Davao City connector was a project under the Build, Build, Build infrastructure program of the Duterte administration, crediting them for the realization of the P23-billion bridge project that will connect Samal Island to Davao.
“I am only fortunate to have been sitting as President when we broke ground for this very important project. This project was formally begun by then-Secretary Mark Villar under the Duterte administration,” Mr. Marcos said.
“So, the previous administration had already been working on this project for four years before we arrived at this day,” he said.
The President led the lowering of the time capsule to signal the start of the bridge construction.
“We credit this project to all the people, both past and present, who have worked very hard to realize this grand infrastructure for it is through the efforts of very many people working very, very hard and their compounded efforts that we will soon harvest fruits that will benefit all,” he added.
“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 othersocial services,” Mr. Marcos said.
Marcos expressed his gratitude to the government of the People’s Republic of China for being an “active member and have always been a dependable partner” in this infrastructure program.
“This bridge is a testament to the strong and ever-growing foundation of the bilateral relations and economic cooperation between us,” the President said.
The Chief Executive said the bridge, once operational, could accommodate up to 25,000 vehicles daily and reduce travel time between Samal and Davao City from 50 minutes via ferry to just 4.5 minutes.
The four-lane bridge project, which has an estimated total cost of P23.04 billion, has a length of 3.98 kilometers, including ramps in Davao City, and a 24-meter-wide grade road and roundabout in Samal Circumferential Road.
The Davao-Samal bridge will be built in five years, with its expected completion in 2027.
The bridge will be funded through a loan agreement worth P18.67 billion entered between the Philippines and China.
“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.
