SC asked to stop Samal Island-Davao City bridge project

Several individuals on Monday asked the Supreme Court (SC) to stop the construction of a bridge that will connect Davao City and Samal Island due to alleged harm to the environment.

In a 200-page petition, the petitioners asked for the immediate issuance of a temporary environmental protection order against the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project, arguing that this will result in irreversible damage to the coral reefs in Paradise Reef and the Hizon Marine Protected Area.

“This case reveals both a slow and an immediate death of the coral reefs in the Davao gulf and of the ecosystems, including local communities, that collectively depend on these reefs for their continued existence,” the petition said.

“The destruction of the coral reefs in the Davao gulf poses an actual threat to the thriving local communities. If the coral reefs that have been relied upon by peoples and ecosystems for centuries would die, it is a tragedy— where the powerful, the State itself, plays god.” it added.

The petitioners also sought a writ of kalikasan for the respondents to permanently cease and desist from the construction.

The SC was asked to direct the respondents to implement measures to protect, preserve, rehabilitate, or restore the coral reefs in Paradise Ref and the Marine Protected Area.

Aside from this, they also asked the direct respondents to submit their respective answers to the petition within ten days from receipt.

The petitioners are Ecoteneo Director Carmela Marie Santos, Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability Executive Director Mark Peñalver, Dyesabel Philippines chairperson Marvelous Camilo, and the Sustainable Davao Movement.

Meanwhile, the respondents are the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Samal Island Protected Landscape and Seascape Protected Area Management Board, and the China Road and Bridge Corporation.

GMA News Online sought comment from some of the respondents and is trying to reach out to others.

With an indicative cost of P23.039 billion, DPWH previously said the project will connect the Samal Circumferential Road in Barangay Limao, Island Garden City of Samal to Davao City in between R. Castillo-Daang Maharlika junction, crossing over Pakiputan Strait.

Its implementation will start this year and is targeted to be completed by 2027, it added.—AOL, GMA Integrated News