Construction of a China-funded bridge to connect Davao city with Samal island in the southern Philippines threatens a large coral reef, environmental experts and community leaders warn. Still, the Philippine government will not relocate it despite their pleas.
The nearly 4 km project is being promoted as part of an effort to develop Samal, a largely underdeveloped island that can be reached only by ferry or boat. Environmental groups have said they favour a bridge to cut travel time to five minutes, but not at its current location.
Experts say that conserving Paradise Reef, the area's 7,500-square-meter reef is vital to protecting this coastal community from the effects of climate change. According to marine biologists, coral reefs decrease hazards caused by storms and sea-level rise.
Environmentalists and the Rodriguez family, the owners of the Paradise Island Park & Beach Resort located near the reef, are questioning the decision by the government, its foreign consultant Ove Arup and Partners Hong Kong Ltd., and local subcontractor Galerio Environmental Consultancy, to place the bridge's landing area on the island near the reef because they say, it plays a crucial role in the Davao Gulf ecosystem.
“That reef does not belong to Samal island or Davao city. That is part of the Republic of the Philippines, and as Filipino residents, we are responsible. We must hold our government accountable for that,” said John Lacson, a Davao-based marine biologist who has volunteered to help the Rodriguez family in its efforts to persuade the government to reroute the bridge.
The Asian Development Bank helped fund a feasibility study by Arup, but the Rodriguez family contends that it lacked consultation with locals. The state-owned China Road and Bridge Corp. is the contractor for the project.
In 2019, the landing point for the bridge on Samal was changed from the original site – a former shipyard – to the coast of Costa Marina Beach Resort, adjacent to Paradise Resort and owned by the family.
“We are in favour of the bridge. But let us not destroy Paradise Reef. Our family and ancestors have long protected it,” resort manager Narciso Rodriguez said in an interview with BenarNews.
Father Joel Tabora, president of the Ateneo de Davao University, echoed the statement in a roundtable discussion on November 5.
“We are not against the bridge, but when there are clear alternatives, we take a stand for the environment. Let's build a bridge but let's not pursue Paradise Reef,” Tabora said.
Groundbreaking
Despite concerns about the bridge's potential impact on the environment, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr led a groundbreaking ceremony in Davao City in late October in the presence of Huang Xilian, the Chinese ambassador to the Philippines.
“This is a testament to the strong and ever-growing foundation of the bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries. It is a pleasure as a nation to join hands with you for the eventual success of the endeavour,” Marcos said.
Vice President Sara Duterte, and her brother, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, also attended the event.
“This is not the only project that we have depended upon, the concessional loans and even grants from the government of the People's Republic of China, and it is clear to see the benefits that those projects bring to our people, to our economy and the Philippines,” Marcos said.