"The embassy and Chinese companies are working together with the Philippine partners to start our groundbreaking early. I'm expecting it to take place next month (July)... We are working on the target direction – next month," the Consul said on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 during a press briefing at the Chinese consulate in Davao City.
After the groundbreaking, he said the project would fully commence its construction phase.
"I have high hopes and expectations for the groundbreaking next month," Lin said.
The Philippines and China signed the Framework Agreement and Loan Agreement for Davao-Samal Bridge on June 13.
Lin said the concessional loan will be approximately $350 million to finance the project
In a Facebook post, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian stated that when finished, the bridge will provide a resilient and reliable transportation link between Davao City and Island Garden City of Samal, "improving transportation efficiency, promoting internal mobility, and stimulating tourism potential."
Xilian also said the construction will create thousands of jobs, contributing to local economic recovery and improving their livelihood.
Outgoing Davao City Mayor and incoming Vice President Sara Duterte thanked the administration and her father, Outgoing President Rodrigo for the recent developments of the project.
"They really endeavored na masimulan na 'yung (to start the) Davao City and Samal Island Connector," Duterte said.
She said the connector bridge would benefit both Igacos and Davao City as tourists will have convenience in travel.
The SIDC is a two-way four-lane 3.86-km bridge with the main bridge having a length of 1.62-km long.
The China-funded project is envisioned as a modern bridge that will connect the Samal Circumferential Road in Barangay Limao, Island Garden City of Samal to Davao City in between R. Castillo-Daang Maharlika junction.
The Davao-Samal bridge is one of the big-ticket projects of the Duterte administration.
Igacos Mayor Al David Uy said he is hopeful that the bridge would be completed under the term of incoming President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr.
Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office Operations Emil K. Sadain said the Davao-Samal Bridge construction is targeted to commence in the second quarter of 2022 and will be completed in 2026.
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