Despite disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic this year, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Tuesday said it expects the construction of the Davao-Samal bridge to start in 2021 as scheduled.
During an online briefing, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said they are set to conduct the bidding for the infrastructure project, which is already on its “advance stages” in October or November.
He noted once the bidding is completed, they will start to finalize its design in preparation for its actual construction.
“By December this year we will also have a loan agreement [for the bridge construction] and by next year we will implement the project,” Villar said.
Last April, Samal City Mayor Al David Uy expressed concern that the project, which will allow land travel between the island of Samal and Davao City, will no longer push through since its funds might be diverted to other projects during the Covid-19 crisis.
Uy said the P23-billion bridge is expected to be funded by the Chinese government.
Aside from Covid-19, other issues hounding the project is the Writ of Kalikasan, which was filed against it by a family whose land will be affected by the construction of the bridge.
The Writ of Kalikasan is a legal remedy, which aims to protect once constitutional right for a healthy environment.