THREE major flagship infrastructure projects in the Davao region are making significant construction progress and are on track for completion within the next three years, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on Sunday.
In a statement, DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain said the Bucana Bridge project, a key component of the Davao City Coastal Road, is now 92.3 percent complete and is on track for full completion by the last quarter of 2025.
Funded by a China aid grant through its Official Development Assistance (ODA) program, the P3.126-billion, 480.2-meter four-lane bridge spans the Davao River and includes approach roads extending the total length to 1.34 kilometers.
“The Bucana Bridge construction is moving steadily with about 3 to 4 percent progress each month, and we expect it to be 95 percent complete by July 2025,” Sadain said.
The bridge connects to the Davao Coastal Road, making travel in and out of Davao City faster and easier, and strengthening the overall road network in the Davao Region, he added.
DPWH also aims to fast-track the implementation of the Davao City Bypass Construction Project (DCBCP), a flagship infrastructure that aims to improve connectivity, especially in key areas of Davao Region in Mindanao.
On June 27, 2025, Sadain led an inspection of the 45.5-kilometer DCBCP to assess progress and ensure momentum is sustained across its five ongoing contract packages.
The Davao City Bypass project’s Package II-1 is now 80 percent complete, while Package II-2 is 72 percent complete. Both are expected to be operational by 2026.
The tunnel-heavy Package I-1 has reached 61 percent and is on track for completion by 2026–2027, while the final segment, Package II-3, is currently in the procurement stage, the DPWH said.
“The Davao City Bypass Construction Project is more than just a traffic solution — it is a catalyst for regional development. By easing congestion and significantly cutting travel time, we are not only improving mobility but also laying down vital infrastructure that supports the socio-economic growth of Mindanao,” Sadain said.
Meanwhile, the Samal Island–Davao City Connector (SIDC) bridge has now achieved a 38 percent accomplishment rate — surpassing its target 16 percent accomplishment rate — and is on track for completion by 2028, according to DPWH.
This toll-free, four-lane extradosed bridge will span 4.76 kilometers, linking Davao City at the R. Castillo–Daang Maharlika Junction to the Samal circumferential road.
As part of the “Bagong Pilipinas” initiative under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to improve national connectivity, the SIDC Bridge is expected to significantly cut travel time between Davao City and Samal Island, enhance regional mobility, promote tourism, and stimulate economic activity across the Davao Region, officials said.
Right-of-way (ROW) acquisition is also progressing steadily, DPWH said. A total of 61 out of 69, or 88 percent, of affected lots in Davao City and Samal Island have already been acquired. For affected structures in Davao City, 22 out of 51, or 43 percent, have been secured, while the rest are undergoing acquisition procedures.
With construction well ahead of schedule, the SIDC Bridge is on track to become a vital infrastructure link that will strengthen inter-island connectivity and catalyze long-term development in Mindanao, the department added.
