Davao City coastal road project inaugurated by Marcos

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Saturday led the opening of the first segment of the P34 billion Davao City Coastal Road Project, saying it will ease mobility in the southern Philippine city.

In his remarks during the inauguration, Marcos said, “While we are only opening the first kilometers of the more than 17-kilometer project, we expect this already to provide some relief to Mindanaoans, especially those who seek access to downtown Davao.”

"This project forms part of the Philippine High Standard Highway Network, which was made with the goal in mind to connect all our country’s major islands," said Marcos.

“This will help in transporting goods in and out of the city, making access to basic necessities easier for communities, for businesses, and for consumers,” he added.

The President also mentioned his predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who he described as “instrumental, central part” of the project.

The groundwork of the project began in 2017, during the Duterte administration’s term.

Addressing traffic

The more than 8-kilometer Segment A of the project stretches from Jct. Davao-Cotabato, passing through the coastal lines of Bago Aplaya, Talomo, Matina Aplaya (Times Beach), Roxas Avenue Section to Santa Ana Wharf, then R. Castillo.

The road project aims to strengthen Davao City’s road network in meeting traffic demands, promote suburban development, and decongest the City center. 

It will also serve as an alternative route to Davao–Cotabato Road and ABS-CBN Diversion Road to ease traffic congestion from the Central Business District in the area.

Meanwhile, other portions of the project include Segment B (Times Beach to Roxas Avenue) at over 4 kilometers; Segment C (Roxas Avenue to Sta. Ana Wharf) at 1.75 kilometers; and Segment D (Sta. Ana Wharf to R. Castillo) at more than 3 kilometers.

Once completed, travel time from Toril Area going to the City proper will be significantly reduced from one hour and 45 minutes to just 30 minutes, and urbanization will be dispersed outside the Davao City Urban Center. 

“The objective is to make the progress more inclusive and more relevant to everyone’s daily life through a highly interconnected road network,” Marcos said.

Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said that the completed Segment A of the project “will already have a significant impact in addressing the traffic congestion problems inside the central business district of Davao City.”

“We Will continue to implement the remaining sections until they are totally completed,” Bonoan said.

 56th Founding Anniversary 

Earlier in the day, Marcos attended the celebration for the 56th founding anniversary of Davao del Sur.

The President lauded the residents and the local government of Davao del Sur for their impressive efforts to work together for the province’s progress as he acknowledged their achievements over the past years.

Marcos also acknowledged Davao del Sur for becoming the first in the Davao Region to be declared insurgency-free and for its diligent and compassionate implementation of the “Tupad Pangako Program” through which former rebels are successfully reintegrated into society and now take part in the nation-building efforts.

“I urge all of you to remain determined in promoting peace, in promoting development in your province. With the local government focusing on all aspects of your daily life that we have identified in the national agenda, we can look forward to a boost in local businesses, improved daily transactions, and an overall better quality of life,” said Marcos in his speech.

“I urge all of you to remain determined in promoting peace, in promoting development in your province. With the local government focusing on all aspects of your daily life that we have identified in the national agenda, we can look forward to a boost in local businesses, improved daily transactions, and an overall better quality of life,” added Marcos. —VAL, GMA Integrated News