#TulayNaTama Campaign

The group is NOT AGAINST A Samal Bridge per se but THIS bridge, the SIDC Project yes, because of its present alignment. There is an original alignment in 2016 that is well and better studied by Japan. It costs 16B too, as opposed to the 23B of this China project.

No. The Petitioners support development that is sustainable, legal, and environmentally responsible. This case is about ensuring that so-called “development projects” do not come at the cost of destroying irreplaceable ecosystems and violating laws and rights. The Petition even cites less destructive alternative routes for the bridge that were ignored by authorities.

This is a Petition for a Writ of Kalikasan filed before the Supreme Court to stop the continued construction of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project, which is causing actual, serious, and irreversible environmental damage to two critical marine ecosystems: Paradise Reef, a 400-year-old coral reef in Samal Island, and The Hizon Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Davao City. The Petitioners assert that this project violates their constitutional right to a balanced and healthful ecology.

The Writ of Kalikasan is a legal remedy available under the Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases. It is issued to stop environmental damage of such magnitude that it prejudices the life, health, or property of people in two or more cities or provinces. It can be issued against both public officials and private individuals or entities responsible for such damage.

The SIDC Project is taking off from a marine protected area in Davao side (Barangay Hizon) and landing on thriving and healthy reefs on the Samal side (right beside and around Paradise Reefs). Samal remains to be a protected area, and Paradise Reefs is one of the last remaining reefs of its kind in Samal. Corals are vital to marine life in Davao Gulf, fishing will be gravely affected, not just our fisherfolks but we ourselves will face food security threats, high costs of fish, if not unavailability. Also, Davao Gulf (particularly the Pakiputan Strait) is prone to storm surge. Putting the bridge right at the mouth of the Pakiputan Strait, will endanger the lives of residents in the two coastal cities with this massive, prolonged and permanent disturbance in the landscape and seascape, both sides of the strait.

Under Rule 7, Section 3 of the Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases, a Petition for a Writ of Kalikasan may be filed directly with the Supreme Court when the environmental damage affects two or more cities or provinces—as it does in this case (Samal and Davao City). It also qualifies as an exception to the doctrine of hierarchy of courts due to its urgency and scale.

The Petitioners are requesting the Supreme Court to: Issue a Writ of Kalikasan against the SIDC Project; Grant a Temporary Environmental Protection Order (TEPO) to immediately stop construction; Order the permanent cessation of the SIDC Project in its current alignment; and Compel restoration and accountability for the environmental damage already caused.

Once filed, the Supreme Court may: Issue the Writ of Kalikasan, requiring the respondents to respond; Schedule hearings or oral arguments; Issue a Temporary Environmental Protection Order (TEPO); If warranted, grant permanent relief such as stopping the project or ordering rehabilitation.

The Petitioners include residents, environmental advocates, and community organizations from Samal Island and Davao City. They are represented by a legal team composed of: Atty. Antonio La Viña Atty. Kaloi Zarate Atty. Jayvy Gamboa Atty. Ericka Uyguangco Atty. Hazel Acero Support is also provided by paralegals, local experts, and civil society groups such as the Sustainable Davao Movement with the Save Samal Reefs Alliance, APILA and Green Juris.

The named respondents are: Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Samal Island Protected Landscape and Seascape (SIPLS) PAMB China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) They are alleged to have committed unlawful acts and omissions that led to the destruction of coral reef ecosystems.