DAVAO CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways-11 has requested additional funding from the government to keep the construction of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector Project on schedule and prevent delays caused by a shortfall.

During Wednesday's Habi at Kape at Abreeza Ayala Mall here, DPWH-11 spokesperson Dean Ortiz said the SIDC project has entered a new phase, with bridge columns now rising above the Pakiputan Strait, as construction is 61 percent complete.

Ortiz said construction remains on schedule despite the funding shortfall, with crews now transitioning to the superstructure of the bridge after completing a major phase involving the foundation columns.

"We are on our way to the superstructure. The columns that people can already see have been completed, and we have finished that phase. We are now working on the upper portion," Ortiz said.

Under the 2026 National Expenditure Program, the project was proposed to receive P4.87 billion. However, only P314 million was allocated under the final General Appropriations Act, prompting the agency to request additional funds.

"We requested a total of P4.86 billion for 2026, but only P314 million was released. We are still on track, but we have already requested additional funds from the national government so work can continue uninterrupted," Ortiz said.

According to the agency, while work continues as planned, delays in releasing additional funds could slow down the construction and affect the project's target completion date if left unaddressed.

Ortiz refuted social media claims that construction of the bridge had been stopped. He said that apparent inactivity at the construction site is due to adjusted working hours to protect workers from extreme heat.

DPWH-11 said that construction personnel work from 6 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and resume from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., leaving the site temporarily idle during the hottest part of the day.

The SIDC is a flagship infrastructure project that will establish the first permanent road link between Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal through a 3.98-kilometer, four-lane cable-stayed bridge spanning the Pakiputan Strait.

Once completed, the DPWH-11 said, the bridge is expected to significantly reduce travel time between the two areas, improve the movement of people and goods, support tourism, and strengthen economic activity in the Davao region.