By Benjamin Pulta
MANILA – A group of environmental advocates on Monday filed a Writ of Kalikasan before the Supreme Court seeking to halt the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) project due to its alleged destruction of critical coral ecosystems in the Davao Gulf.
Petitioners Ecoteneo, Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability Inc., Sustainable Davao Movement and Marvelous Camilo said the project threatens Paradise Reef in Samal Island and Marine Protected Area in Davao City.
“The construction of the SIDC project resulting in actual, serious, and irreversible damage to the coral reefs in Paradise Reef and in Hizon Marine Protected Areas violates the constitutional right to a balanced and healthful ecology,” the group said.
They added that the ongoing construction is in violation of Republic Act Nos. 11038, otherwise known as the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas Systems Act of 2018, and 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
The 3.9-kilometer project being undertaken by the China Road and Bridge Corporation is worth PHP23 billion, with PHP19 billion borrowed from China.
It has a width of 24 meters and will require 42,328 square meters from Davao City and 21,052 square meters from the Island Garden City of Samal.
Aside from the contractor, likewise named respondents were the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Samal Island Protected Landscape and Seascape Protected Area Management Board. (PNA)
