RDC XI on track with Samal-Davao bridge project

DAVAO CITY, October 22, 2014 – Regional Development Council XI Vice Chairperson and National Economic Development Authority XI Director Maria Lourdes Lim declared that the RDC is on track in its Samal-Davao bridge project which they hope to commence in 2016.

Lim made the proclamation during the Roadshow on the Updated Davao Regional Development Plan held at the Grand Men Seng Hotel.

“We are on track. Hopefully, the DPWH will respond to the call of the RDC to conduct the feasibility study”, said Lim.

The RDC XI has already tapped the Department of Public Works and Highways to conduct a full feasibility study on the project. The study will be in accordance to the recommendation of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) that conducted a pre-feasibility study 10 years ago. According to JICA, a full study could be conducted in 2015 when the Island Garden City of Samal has become more progressive.

“We have endorsed it already to our advisory committee for our projects in 2016 and in the last meeting of the RDC, we passed a resolution regarding this project”, said Lim.

The total cost of the bridge is estimated to be P10 billion.

Lim also announced two other projects which the NEDA will be prioritizing in 2015. The first is a P40 billion-undertaking to rehabilitate and improve the Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City. The other is the modernization of the Sasa Wharf which is estimated to cost P19 billion. The projects will be open for bidding to the private sector next year. (Keisha Therese D. Halili/PIO)