| Work Detail |
Embassy of Japan in the Philippines Ambassador Kazuya Endo and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain inspected on Monday, January 27, 2025, the ongoing road mountain tunnel component of the Davao City Bypass Construction Project, a flagship infrastructure initiative aimed at alleviating traffic congestion and significantly enhancing connectivity across Davao City and neighboring areas. Accompanying Ambassador Endo were his wife, Akiko, Consul-General of Japan in Davao Yoshihisa Ishikawa, 1st Secretary Kurihara Shinobu, 2nd Secretary Akito Kinoshita, and 3rd Secretary Ryouske Saka. DPWH Senior Undersecretary Sadain was joined by Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Project Director Benjamin A. Bautista of Roads Management Cluster 1 and Project Director Rodrigo I. Delos Reyes of Bridges Management Cluster, and Stakeholder Relations Service Director Randy R. Del Rosario. Additionally, DPWH Roads Management Cluster 1 - Bilateral, UPMO staff included Project Manager Lope L. Pajarillaga Jr., Project Manager Emmanuel A. Regodon, Engineer Earl Nicholas F. Rada, and other technical engineers. According to Senior Undersecretary Sadain, the centerpiece of the 10.7-kilometer contract package I-1 of the 45.5-kilometer Davao City Bypass Construction Project is the 2.3-kilometer road mountain tunnel, which once completed, will be the longest tunnel in the Philippines. The inspected road mountain tunnel feature a two (2) separate tubes for northbound and southbound traffic, improving both safety and traffic flow. This twin tunnel is crucial for cutting through the mountainous terrain, providing a direct and safer route for motorists. Excavation for the northbound tunnel is over 95% complete, while the southbound tunnel is more than 85% finished. A tunnel breakthrough, a long-awaited event which brings to an end the most critical phase of tunneling, is expected by the second quarter of 2025, said Senior Undersecretary Sadain. Davao City Bypass Construction Project is financed in part by the Government of Japan thru Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which continues to play a vital role in supporting the Philippines’ infrastructure ambitions. With the continued support of Japan through JICA, DPWH is on track to finish this major infrastructure project within the term of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., further advancing his vision for sustainable development and improved quality of life for all Filipinos. The project is in line with the administration’s “Build, Better, More” program, a key component of the Philippine Development Plan which aims to enhance national connectivity to promote economic growth, and improve transportation efficiency for both people and goods across the country. As part of this initiative, President Marcos has earlier tasked DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan with prioritizing critical infrastructure projects that will drive economic progress and make a significant impact on the lives of Filipinos such as the Davao City Bypass Construction Project. Once completed, the Davao City Bypass Construction Project will reduce travel time between Toril and Panabo City from 1 hour and 44 minutes to just 49 minutes, helping to alleviate traffic congestion and boost productivity. The project will also stimulate economic activity, opening up new opportunities for trade, tourism, and business, while creating thousands of jobs. The completion of the project will be a game-changer for Davao’s infrastructure, driving the growth of new economic hubs, raising land values, and solidifying Davao’s position as a key regional growth center in Mindanao. JICA’s expertise in planning, design, and construction has been instrumental in the development of several infrastructure projects in the country that make it easier for people to move around. |
