Construction progresses on the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project on the Samal side. Izzy Lee, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — Various groups have urged the Supreme Court to issue a Writ of Kalikasan and Temporary Environmental Protection Order to stop the construction of a 4-kilometer bridge which aims to connect Samal Island and Davao City. 

China-funded Samal-Davao bridge risks environment, may have bypassed approval: critics

In the petition filed by Ecoteneo, Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability, Sustainable Davao Movement and Dyesabel Philippines, the Samal Island-Davao City Connector Project continues to cause actual, serious and irreversible damage to the coral reefs in the Paradise Reef of Samal Island and in the Hizon Marine Protected Area of Davao City. 

Respondents to the petition are the Department of Public Works and Highways represented by Secretary Manuel Bonoan; the Department of Environment and Natural Resources represented by Secretary Maria Antonio Yulo-Loyzaga; and the Samal Island Protected Landscape and Seascape Protected Area Management Board. 

Also included as respondent is the China Road and Bridge Corporation, the SIDC project coordinator. 

The petitioners also noted that the four-lane bridge with a vertical clearance of 47 meters was funded by China and was signed during the Duterte administration. 

“This is the last resort, when you file a case 'di ba, ang dami naming efforts to reach out to the LGUs (Local Government Units), the national government agencies hanggang sa eto na nga mukhang wala nang ibang resort na ma-address ang issue kundi sa Supreme Court,” said Ecoteneo Director Carmela Marie Santos.

'IRREVERSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE'

Petitioners stated that the ongoing construction such as barge anchoring, borehole drilling and crane installation have already caused irreversible environmental damage, in violation of Republic Act No. 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018, Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act and other local marine protection ordinances.

The petitioners further noted that the construction violates the Constitutional right of Filipinos to a balanced and healthful ecology which includes the preservation of coral reef systems.

Among the damage they noted on the coral reefs are the destruction and disturbance of wildlife; mutilation of natural formations; destruction of active nests, nest trees and host plants. 

The petitioners also stressed that the project continues to adversely affect the health, life and property of the inhabitants of the area through increased vulnerability to storm surge, soil erosion resulting to landslides, contamination of ground water and seawater, decreased fishing and eco-tourism activity. 

“Because iyong bridge na iyon, already being constructed is destroying coastal  and marine biodiversity and resources doon sa Samal Island and sa Davao Gulf, so we are hopeful that the Supreme Court will act on this petition,” said lawyer Tony La Viña.

According to the DPWH, the project has an estimated total cost of P23.52 billion, through the Official Development Assistance program of the government of China. 

The DPWH said the goal is to open the bridge under the term of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.