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MinDA, China’s CRBC, eye new opportunities for infrastructure cooperation

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas

THE MINDANAO Development Authority (MinDA) and China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) engaged in the expansion of infrastructure cooperation during the 17th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum (IIICF) 2026.

In a MinDA press release on Wednesday, the discussion focused on ongoing projects and new opportunities for infrastructure collaboration in Mindanao.

Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno, MinDA chairperson and Philippine Signing Minister for BIMP-EAGA, stressed the significance of CRBC’s continued role in advancing infrastructure development in Mindanao.

“This enduring cooperation has provided a strong foundation for mutual progress and continues to open new opportunities for collaboration between China and the subregion,” Magno said.

He noted that the partnership improved mobility, enhanced competitiveness, and continues to create greater economic opportunities for Mindanawons.

China has been a valued development partner of BIMP EAGA since 2005, with the partnership formalized through the Framework of Economic Cooperation signed in 2009.

“CRBC President Wang Lijun expressed his sympathies and support following the recent earthquake that affected parts of Mindanao and reaffirmed readiness to assist in recovery efforts if needed,” MinDA said in the statement.

CRBC also provided updates on its ongoing initiatives, including the Samal Island–Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project, a China-aid flagship project that connects Davao City and Island Garden City of Samal.

The 3.98- kilometer SIDC reported almost 60% completion, aiming to be finished by 2028, and is 90% funded by China’s official development assistance.

The construction of the P23 billion bridge project, which was approved during the Duterte administration, started in 2022 with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leading the groundbreaking ceremony.

MinDA reported that CRBC explored potential collaboration in strategic transport infrastructure, including bridges, ports, airports, railways, and other connectivity projects that align with the Mindanao Agenda 2023–2028 and the government’s Building a Better Mindanao campaign.

“These initiatives are expected to strengthen regional supply chains, support sustainable development, and reinforce Mindanao’s role as a hub for growth in Southeast Asia,” MinDA stressed.

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News

Structurally safe 

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron
  • No closure for Bucana Bridge after M7.8 quake – DPWH chief 

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon assured the public on Tuesday morning, June 9, that the Bucana Bridge in Davao City remains safe and open to motorists following the powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao on Monday.

During an inspection, Dizon clarified that engineers and contractors found only minor, non-structural damage to the bridge’s expansion joints and railings, which will be repaired within three to five days.

“Minor damage on Bucana Bridge—our engineers and the contractor assure us. It’s very minor, so we can still pass through the bridge. So, it’s very safe. They’ve checked the bottom. There’s just a little problem with the expansion joint, but it will be finished within three to five days,” Dizon told reporters.

“There are only non-structural cements that have given way a little bit but are being repaired. But the main structure that makes up the bridge is intact; there are no cracks,” he added.

Inspection of DPWH-XI and contractors

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon personally visited this morning, June 9, 2026, to check the general condition of the bridge after the strong earthquake.

Joining Dizon were DPWH-XI officials, including spokesperson Dean Ortiz, representatives from the China-Aid Localized Project for the Davao River Bridge, and technical experts of the China Road and Bridge Corporation.

The secretary reviewed the ongoing assessment and structural repair works in the area to ensure the complete safety of motorists who pass through that crucial route.

On Monday, authorities opened the Bucana Bridge for light vehicles starting at 1 pm, while the trucks and other heavy vehicles are being diverted to alternative routes while waiting for the final clearing from the engineers.

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News

Not your legacy 

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

VP Sara credits FPRRD for Bucana Bridge construction

VICE PRESIDENT Sara Duterte on Friday corrected President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in taking credit for the Bucana Bridge as one of his legacy projects in Davao City. 

The vice president highlighted the direct intervention of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, in securing financing for the Davao River Bridge, commonly known as the Bucana Bridge, when she was still the mayor of Davao City.

Duterte said it was the former president who “found a way” to ensure the vital infrastructure plan would push through.

The story behind the funding

“The Bucana Bridge is part of the entire Davao City Coastal Road. The coastal road cannot cross the Bankerohan River without the Bucana Bridge. At that time, when I was mayor, the coastal road had a budget, but the bridge was unfunded.”

“It was made known to former President Rodrigo Duterte that the bridge was unfunded, and he sought a way to provide funds for the bridge. When he found the funds, the negotiations, planning, and all the necessary paperwork for that bridge began,” she explained.

“We thank former President Rodrigo Duterte because he did not stop searching for funds for that bridge, and of course, we thank the People’s Republic of China because they fully provided the entire costs of that bridge.”

She also emphasized that the national government and Davao City did not spend a dime on the construction of the bridge. 

On President Marcos’ statement

When asked about the recent statement by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who inspected the bridge and claimed it was one of the four main legacy projects under his administration, Duterte said: 

“For me, as a Davaoeño and as a Mindanawon, I thank former President Rodrigo Duterte because the truth is, at that time, he knew my problem as mayor: there was a coastal road, the coastal road had a budget, but we had no budget for the bridge,” she said. “And yes, the source of the fund is the People’s Republic of China. They are the ones I thank.”

The project, with a total contract cost of ₱3.126 billion, was fully funded through an official grant from the Chinese government. The partnership was carried out under a contract with the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).

The Bucana Bridge is officially set to open to traffic on Dec. 15, 2025.

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Dec. 15 opening

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron
  • P3.1-B China-grant Bucana Bridge seen to ease Christmas traffic

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced on Thursday that the new Bucana Bridge in Davao City will be opened to traffic on Dec. 15, 2025, just in time for the busy Christmas season.

Mr. Marcos made the announcement while inspecting the infrastructure project on Thursday morning, Dec. 4. Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Leo Magno, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon, Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr., and Davao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Jose Manuel Lagdameo also joined the President during the inspection.

“Ang estimate natin na ang biyahe na dati halos dalawang oras ay mababawasan magiging mga 25 minutes, 20 minutes na lang. Kaya malaking ginhawa, lalong-lalo na ngayon na magpa-Pasko tayo (We estimate to cut the trip from two hours to just 25 minutes or 20 minutes. So, it’s a big help, especially now that we are approaching Christmas),” he said in a speech. 

He also said that the entire stretch of the Davao City Coastal Road Project will open in December 2027.

Mr. Marcos also credited the Chinese contractor for adopting modern technology in building the bridge. “Marunong talaga silang magpatayo ng magandang tulay, magandang infrastructure na mabilis at nasa tamang gastos, nasa tamang presyo (They really know how to build a solid bridge, solid infrastructure that’s fast and cost-effective),” he added.

The Bucana Bridge project, funded by a ₱3.126 billion grant from China, spans 480 meters. It’s built by the China Road and Bridge Corporation, the same contractor for the Samal Island-Davao City Connector Bridge.

 It is designed to ease traffic congestion in Davao City significantly and is expected to accommodate up to 35,000 vehicles daily. The bridge forms a crucial part of the larger Davao City bypass road network.

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Business

Councilor: SIDC delay is an economic opportunity loss for both Davao, Samal

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas

DELAYING the Samal Island-Davao Connector (SIDC) Bridge would be a negative blow to the two cities in terms of development and economic opportunity loss, Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang said.

In a sideline interview during Tuesday’s regular session, July 8, Dayanghirang clarified that he is suggesting a “humanized win-win solution” that the parties can compromise on for the continuation of the controversial bridge.

“You can just imagine the economic opportunity loss on the part of the traders, on the part of the businessman, and on the part of the individual. I suggest for a win-win solution, that we again look at it, tan awn natog balik basin ma-areglo,” he stressed.

Dayanghirang, during the regular session, passed an item under first reading specifically wanting the City Council to express support for the continuation of the SIDC and “affirming compliance with environmental laws and sustainability commitments in light of the Supreme Court’s issuance of a Writ of Kalikasan. 

Councilor Tek Ocampo, committee chair on environment, stressed the matter was already discussed in the 20th city council, but Dayanghirang maintained that the 21st city council has a new set of members that the matters of the 20th do not cross the 21st.

Dayanghirang eventually withdrew his resolution and suggested just inviting the petitioners of the Writ and the respondent, Department of Public Works and Highways, provided it would be the first item taken next regular session on July 15.

But, Councilor Diosdado Angelo Mahipus said the matter is already being trashed out in the Judiciary and “might be prudent” to respect the judicial processes.

“Given the fact that this matter is now still being heard, I don’t know if it is proper, appropriate for us to discuss relevant and material matters that would perhaps affect the processes of the judiciary,” Mahipus said.

The SC En Banc, during its session on July 1, issued a writ of kalikasan against the respondents: Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Samal Island Protected Landscape and Seascape Protected Area Management Board, and the China Road and Bridge Corporation. 

The SC also required the respondents to file a verified return on the petition within a non-extendible period of 10 days after service of the writ, and referred the ruling on the temporary environmental protection order to the Court of Appeals-Cagayan de Oro for action.

Dayanghirang said the invitation is just to know the status and the merits and demerits of the project for the purpose of public interest.

“We are taking the position of public interest, or else this council will be useless if we cannot express the sentiments of the people, and the way I look at it, the sentiments of the people are for the project to proceed,” he added.

Atty. Romeo Cabarde, a  Sustainable Davao Movement member, said in a text message, while they welcome dialogue, they intend to remain vigilant of the move.

“We welcome dialogue, but we remain vigilant—this invitation must not be used to discredit the petition or distract from the environmental violations we have raised before the Supreme Court,” Cabarde said.

Photo courtesy of DPWH XI

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Construction continues

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

 

  • DPWH has yet to receive court order to halt Samal Bridge project: official 

THE CONTRACTOR has not stopped construction of the controversial Samal Island-Davao City Connector Bridge Project despite the Supreme Court’s issuance of a writ of kalikasan on Monday, July 1, seeking to halt the project due to environmental concerns. 

In an interview on Wednesday, July 2, Department of Public Works and Highways XI spokesperson Dean Ortiz affirmed their commitment to the judicial process. Presently, they are awaiting official receipt of the writ and any subsequent court orders before suspending current operations. 

“We will abide by the instruction of the Supreme Court to respond within 10 days upon receipt of the Writ,” Ortiz stated.

DPWH XI spokesperson Dean Ortiz updates reporters on the Samal Island-Davao Connector Bridge project following the writ of kalikasan issued by the Supreme Court. BY RHODA GRACE SARON

When asked if the Central Office had received any order for a temporary stoppage of the project, Ortiz confirmed that as of their latest communication with a project engineer, “the department has not yet received a copy of the writ.”

He further emphasized that the issuance is “actually a writ of kalikasan pa lang” and that “the court has to decide on that.” He reiterated, “As of now, we have not received any instructions coming from the court to suspend or stop the project, so we will continue. We have not received a TRO for that matter, and the project will continue.”

A writ of kalikasan is a legal remedy under Philippine law that protects one’s right to a healthy environment, as outlined in Section 16, Article II of the Philippine Constitution, which states that the “state shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.

He expressed hope for the project’s continuation despite the recent legal challenge. “For our part, we are confident that we have applied every existing guideline for protecting the environment while the project is ongoing. In fact, the DENR issued an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC), and that is more than enough for us to proceed with the project, as long as we continue to abide by the guidelines,” Ortiz further explained.

Ortiz explained that the bridge project falls under the Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) of the DPWH Central Office. 

“So, the role of the regional office here is just to monitor the project,” he said, adding, “The UPMO will be the one to respond.”

“As of now, we are significantly ahead of our projected accomplishment,” Ortiz stated. “We are currently at 38.07 percent, while our target for this period was only 16.24 percent. This means we are 21.84 percent ahead of our projected accomplishment for the duration of the construction.”

Ortiz emphasized the project’s rapid progress. “We are way ahead on track; our work is progressing rapidly. Should this project be halted, it would result in a significant waste of time and resources. It would have a huge adverse impact on us if we reach that point.”

The Supreme Court En Banc, during its session on Monday, July 1, 2025, issued the Writ of Kalikasan in response to a petition filed by Carmela Marie Santos, Mark Peñalver, and the Sustainable Davao Movement. The petitioners argue that the bridge project will cause “actual, serious, and irreversible damage” to critical marine ecosystems, specifically coral reefs in Paradise Reef, Samal Island, and the Hizon Marine Protected Area in Davao City.

Named as respondents in the writ are the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Samal Island Protected Landscape and Seascape Protected Area Management Board, and the China Road and Bridge Corporation, the project’s contractor.

The SC has required these respondents to file a verified return on the petition within 10 days from the service of the writ. Furthermore, the Supreme Court has referred the petitioners’ prayer for a Temporary Environmental Protection Order (TEPO), which would immediately halt construction, to the Court of Appeals–Cagayan de Oro station for action. The decision on the TEPO now rests with the Court of Appeals.

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