President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte led the groundbreaking ceremony for the Samal Island – Davao City Connector project, or simply the Davao Samal Bridge. After its expected completion in five years, the bridge will reduce travel time from Davao City to Samal from around 30 minutes via ferry to only five minutes.
The bridge will be constructed within five years and is set to be completed and operationalized in 2027. Its construction will be funded through a loan agreement worth US$350 million or ₱18.67 billion entered into between the Philippines and China. The Chinese loan will cover 90 percent of the project cost.
This will give a big boost to tourism in the Island Garden City of Samal which is considered the country’s largest resort city and the Davao region’s top tourist magnet. Among its lead attractions are the Pearl Farm Beach, the IGaCoS Mangrovetum that serves as a scientific laboratory for mangrove systems, and numerous marine reefs.
It is expected by stakeholders that sustainability of the environmental ecosystems will be taken into account in carrying out this milestone project.
Aside from tourism promotion, the city is also actively campaigning to attract locators from the knowledge-based business process outsourcing and information technology enabled services, power and public utilities, light industries, transshipment and logistics facilities, retirement villages, agribusiness and property development.
Given these developments, the real estate industry is also witnessing substantial growth, as more resorts and leisure facilities are being put up. Among these is the Damosa land property, the site of the groundbreaking ceremony.
President Marcos pointed out: “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 relatively far-flung areas and economic centers, thereby ensuring smoother mobility of people and of goods.”
He also expressed optimism that this project will fast-truck the local economy’ recovery from the steep recession triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic, improve aid distribution during calamities, and ensure peace and stability that will foster economic growth.
The chief executive has also directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to focus on the goal of a “more interconnected Philippines,” emphasizing the need for more short-and-long-span bridges “to boost regional transport and spur economic development” in the countryside.