The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) should act on the complaints of environmentalists and business groups that are opposing the construction of the P23-billion Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Bridge.     Sen. Risa Hontiveros during the Kapihan sa Senado forum. (Senate PRIB Photo)

Sen. Risa Hontiveros noted that the China-funded project has been replete with grievances which she also raised during the deliberations on the DPWH’s budget for the year 2023. Hontiveros said the DPWH should reconsider the design of the project and hold dialogues with the stakeholders. “The DPWH should do both of those things. I asked the DPWH about it during the last budget hearing and they promised to do an environmental impact study. The oppositors have pointed out that there’s an alternative site for the project,” the senator recalled during a recent Kapihan sa Senado forum. She said the groups opposing the project have “valid reasons” to question its effect on the environment, particularly the coral reefs and mangrove areas in Samal Island. Hontiveros also noted that a study conducted by a Japanese team showed it would be more cost-effective to move the landing site of the bridge on a government-owned property on the Davao side. “Yes, there is an offer of an alternative site and design. So if there are such findings, and not just criticisms, and there is also an alternative, why won’t the DPWH reconsider?” she pointed out. “Why will the DPWH risk the coral reefs and mangroves if there are alternative sites and design for the project?” Hontiveros asked. “The DPWH should deliver on their promise to do an environmental impact study,” she also said. The SIDC is among the “Build, Build, Build” or major infrastructure projects of the national government during the previous Duterte administration. The project, which will be primarily funded by loans from China, spans Brgy. Limao in the Island Garden City of Samal, and Brgys. Vicente Hizon, Sr. Angliongto and R. Castillo in Davao City. The project has been awarded to China Road and Bridge Corporation, a state-owned construction company. According to environmentalists, the SIDC bridge foundation on the Samal side would decimate a large area of the island, which is currently classified as a mangrove swamp forest reserve, and thus, declared by law as a “protected area." Under the law, all programs, projects and activities to be carried out in a protected area, whether an initial component of the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS), or a legislated one, must first have the approval of the Protected Area Management Board.