Plans to open the Bucana Bridge in Davao City were shelved after the regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-11) announced that the launch would no longer proceed, citing unresolved safety concerns.
In a public advisory released Tuesday, the agency said the move was taken “in the interest of public safety,” explaining that “additional safety measures and assessments are still being undertaken to ensure the protection of all motorists and road users.”
The advisory also included an apology to the public. “We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and respectfully ask for the public’s understanding. Rest assured that the safety and welfare of the public remain our top priority,” DPWH-11 said.
The reversal came hours after Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte publicly objected to the scheduled opening, warning that the road segment was not ready for use. In a statement issued at 5 p.m. Monday—the same time the bridge was supposed to open—Duterte said only two of the four lanes were close to completion, creating potential risks for motorists.
“The Segment B of the coastal road remains under the jurisdiction of DPWH, as it has not yet been officially turned over to the (local government unit), primarily because the project is still unfinished,” the mayor said.
Duterte added that inspections by the Davao City Road Project Advisory and Monitoring Board (DCRPAMB) found that two lanes were nearing completion, while the remaining lanes were still under construction. He also pointed out the absence of streetlights and safety signage at one of the exits.
“Members of the DCRPAMB also asked DPWH why Segment B would be opened despite being unfinished, but no proper answer was given,” he said.
Earlier this month, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., following an inspection on Dec. 4, announced that the bridge—part of the Davao City Coastal Bypass Road—would open on Dec. 15 to help decongest traffic during the holiday season. The project is expected to significantly reduce travel time between the city’s southern areas and downtown, from about two and a half hours to roughly 30 minutes.
Duterte, however, described the announced opening date as reckless. “The integrity and safety of public roads must not be compromised simply because a deadline has been carelessly set,” he said.
The mayor also directed sharp remarks at both the DPWH and the President during his public rant. “Should anything happen to Dabawenyos in that area because of inadequate streetlights and safety measures, that is on you and your stupidity,” Duterte told the agency.
“If they insist on opening it today, let them be because the President behaves like a child,” he said on Monday.
Several hours after those remarks, DPWH-11 announced that the opening would be reset. By Tuesday, the agency clarified that the planned opening “will not push through,” without directly referring to Duterte’s statements.
The DPWH has yet to announce a new date for the bridge’s opening.
