One of the petitioners seeking to stop the construction of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector Bridge has clarified that their group is not against the construction of the bridge but rather in its alignment.

Atty. Mark Peñalver, executive director of the Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS), explained that their primary concern is the impact of the ongoing construction, particularly on marine ecosystem.

IDIS made the clarification after the Supreme Court (SC) issued a writ of kalikasan directing the respondents, including several government agencies and the Chinese contractor, to submit a verified return on the petition within a non-extendible period of 10 days after service of the writ.

The High Court also referred the prayer for a temporary environmental protection order (TEPO) to the Court of Appeals-Cagayan de Oro for action.

The petitioners faced criticism from many, as the bridge is seen to potentially bring ease and convenience to residents, particularly in transporting patients to major hospitals and in delivering agricultural products.

“Dili gyud mi against sa bridge ang atoa lang pangitaan nato og pamaagi or pangitaan natog areas nga less ang impact or walay impact sa environment.These coral reefs play their role as buffers kanang tsunami kung maapektuhan ni ang coral reefs kinsa na poy mo-protect sa atong coastal communities?” Peñalver said.

Peñalver also raised the question of whether Samal Island is prepared for the long-term changes the bridge might bring.

“If in the long run tan awon nato ang bigger picture ani unsa pud ang mahitabo sa Samal daghan na ang infrastructure nga manulod dinhi daghan na naga mga businesses nga magput-up diri daghan nag investment nga musulod daghan na og sakyanan nga musulod is Samal ready for that?” Peñalver added.

The local government of Samal has yet to issue a statement, as of this writing. However, Mayor Toto Reyes posted on his Facebook account that the people of Samal deserve a better future, and that the bridge is part of that progress. He also called for the continuation of the project.

Meanwhile, former Samal Island Mayor Al David Uy issued a separate statement pointing out the reported mining operations in Mt. Hamiguitan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but no Writ of Kalikasan had been filed in that case.

Peñalver responded, saying “we are not part of the government ang question gyud diha who allowed these operations to operate in those areas?”

Peñalver also questioned other environmental concerns in the island.

“Kining mga resorts na naga expand sa areas nga allowed sila, ang ilahang waste water, ang question diha is who allowed them to build those structures in the first place? Visible man kaayo siya nganong dili man nila mamonitor nganong dili man nila ma-hold accountable ang kini nga mga resorts?” Peñalver said.

The local government has yet to respond on this, as of this writing.