MATI CITY, Davao Oriental — Former Mati City mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat has issued further clarification on the ongoing controversy surrounding the Dahican Bamboo Terminal, stressing that the project remains unfinished and that government payment for the facility has not yet been completed.
Rabat explained that the terminal, which has drawn public attention for its bamboo-based design, is still undergoing development and should not be judged as a finished structure.
“The project is not yet completed and payment is not yet in full,” Rabat said, adding that key components of the terminal are still pending installation.
According to the former mayor, planned improvements include the construction of comfort rooms and an extension of the terminal bay to better accommodate passengers. These additions, she said, are part of the original design and functionality of the facility.
Rabat also addressed concerns about flooding and structural integrity, noting that the terminal site was intentionally elevated during construction.
“The area was previously below the level of the highway, so it was elevated to avoid flooding,” she said.
Responding to criticism over the use of bamboo as a primary material, Rabat emphasized that the structure is not purely organic in composition. She explained that the giant bamboo used in the terminal has been properly treated and reinforced.
“The bamboos are treated and supported by a strong foundation made of steel and concrete,” she said, underscoring that safety and durability were considered alongside aesthetics.
The Dahican Bamboo Terminal, located near Dahican Beach, has been defended by Rabat as a project designed specifically for a tourism area, combining visual appeal with practical function. She earlier maintained that the terminal’s bamboo architecture was a conscious aesthetic choice befitting a premier coastal destination.
As public debate continues, Rabat’s latest statement seeks to place the project in proper context—highlighting its unfinished status, planned amenities, and engineered foundations—while countering claims that the terminal is structurally weak or prematurely assessed.
Local officials have yet to announce a revised completion timeline, but Rabat reiterated that the project should be evaluated once all components are fully implemented and finalized.
