Davao City – The China Road and Bridge Corp. (CRBC) is prepared to commence the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) project, despite facing challenges related to right-of-way issues. This update was shared by Li Lin, Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office of Fujian and former Chinese Consul General to Davao, who visited the project site in March. Li expressed regret that the project had not progressed significantly since its groundbreaking in 2022, attributing the delay to right-of-way concerns.
According to Philippines News Agency, The construction of the PHP23.04 billion toll-free, four-lane bridge, funded through China’s Official Development Assistance, aims to be completed by 2027. Spanning 3.98 kilometers across the Pakiputan Strait, the bridge will connect Barangay Limao in Island Garden City of Samal and Davao City between the R. Castillo and the Daang Maharlika junction. Li emphasized the importance of accelerating cooperation between the two countries and reaching consensus on project benefits for socioeconomic progress in the Philippines.
At the 10th Manila Forum for Philippines-China Relations, Li also discussed China’s strategies for poverty alleviation, highlighting the lifting of nearly 800 million people out of poverty in China. He mentioned incentive policies for young officials and targeted financial assistance for poverty-stricken areas and projects. Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, also present at the forum, pointed out that poverty alleviation is a potential area for further collaboration between Manila and Beijing. Huang noted that China’s success in reducing poverty demonstrates the feasibility of poverty reduction efforts in developing countries, including the Philippines.