SC issues Writ of Kalikasan on Davao-Samal bridge project

Philippine and Chinese officials unveil a scale model of the Samal Island-Davao City connector project. DPWH/fileMANILA — The Supreme Court (SC) issued on Tuesday a Writ of Kalikasan against the proponents of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector Project, led by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

China-funded Samal-Davao bridge risks environment, may have bypassed approval: critics

Last April, various groups filed a petition before the high court for the issuance of a Writ of Kalikasan as well as a Temporary Environmental Protection Order (TEPO) to halt the construction of the 4-kilometer bridge.

The writ also covered respondents Samal Island Protected Landscape and Seascape Protected Area Management Board and the China Road and Bridge Corporation.

SC urged to halt construction of China-funded Samal Island-Davao City bridge

The P23 billion project is expected to cut the travel time between Samal and Davao City to 5 minutes, according to the DPWH.

But in the petition of Ecoteneo, Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability, Sustainable Davao Movement, and Dyesabel Philippines, the project supposedly continues to cause actual, serious and irreversible damage to the coral reefs in the Paradise Reef of Samal Island and in the Hizon Marine Protected Area of Davao City.

Gov't unveils design for P23-billion Samal Island-Davao City connector project

Supreme Court spokesperson Camille Ting said the high court referred the prayer for a TEPO to the Court of Appeals-Cagayan De Oro for action.

“So the Court of Appeals will be receiving evidence to determine whether the TEPO should be issued,” Ting said.

RELATED VIDEO