The proposed restructuring of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project has secured approval from a key government committee and is now awaiting the final go-signal from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Department of Finance (DOF) said.
The Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee (ICC-CC), co-chaired by Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go, approved the proposed changes to the 4.76-kilometer bridge project on October 22, 2026. It subsequently endorsed the proposal to the Economic Development Council (EDC), chaired by Marcos, for final approval.
In a statement issued on October 28, the DOF said the restructuring is intended to support infrastructure development, strengthen connectivity, improve access to essential services, and create more economic opportunities in Mindanao.
The department did not provide details of the proposed revisions.
However, a report by the Regional Project Monitoring Committee 11 indicated that the restructuring covers the project’s scope, cost, financing, and implementation period. The proposed adjustments include an increase in the overall project cost and an extension of the construction timeline, although the revised completion date was not specified.
Regional Development Council 11 (RDC 11) Chairperson and Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib, meanwhile, expressed confidence that the bridge would be completed before Marcos’ term ends in June 2028.
Jubahib said on Tuesday that construction was about 60 percent complete as of October. He also assured that adequate funding was available to sustain the project and keep it within the target completion period.
The SIDC Project involves the construction of a four-lane, toll-free bridge linking Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal. It is designed to accommodate approximately 25,000 vehicles daily.
Once completed, the bridge is expected to provide a direct connection between mainland Davao and Samal, improving access to employment, markets, tourism destinations, schools, and essential services. It is also expected to boost trade, tourism, and other economic activities across the Davao Region.
