The Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) bridge project, which is scheduled to be completed in 2027, is proof of the hard work of two administrations—former president Rodrigo Duterte and current President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.—Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte said on Thursday, Oct. 27.

Crediting her father’s administration for doing the groundwork on what is a “long-time dream” for the people, the official thanked the current Marcos administration for the project’s “continuity.”

“It’s very important because it will be a showcase of two administrations, two Presidents. This bridge has been a topic of discussion since the 1960s when my grandfather was still governor of the undivided Davao Region. It’s very important politically, economically and, of course, socially here in Davao Region,” she said of the P23.039-billion project.

She and Marcos thanked the former chief executive, as well as former Public Works and now-Senator Mark Villar for preparing the initial stages of the project.

“And we would like to thank the admin of President Bongbong Marcos Jr. for the support and the continuity of the project for Davao City and Island Garden City of Samal,” Duterte said before the media.

The country’s top two officials, who won on the platform of unity during the 2022 national campaign, attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the project along with several stakeholders like Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian.

The bridge, funded through a loan agreement between the Philippines and the Chinese government, will be constructed by the China Road and Bridge Corp.

It will span 3.98 kilometers, with a width of 24 meters and a height of 73 meters, to connect the two cities from Samal Circumferential Road in Barangay Limao to R. Castillo — Daang Maharlika road in Davao City traversing Pakiputan Strait.

This will cut the travel time between the cities to 4.5 minutes from the usual 30 minutes, according to the Office of the Vice President (OVP).

During his speech, Marcos said the bridge will serve as an affirmation of his administration’s “commitment and resolve to become a sturdy and purposeful link that bridges gap between physical and geographical barriers but also the various social structures that need to be connected and fortified as one.”

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Raymund Antonio

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