Environmentalists celebrated when the Supreme Court issued a Writ of Kalikasan on July 1 against agencies involved in the Samal-Davao bridge project, directing them to file a verified return and referring the petition for a Temporary Environmental Protection Order (TEPO) to the Court of Appeals in Cagayan de Oro. However, the celebration was short-lived as the Court of Appeals denied the TEPO on July 11, stating it would disrupt the ongoing government infrastructure project and harm public interest. The petitioners, including the Sustainable Davao Movement, argued that construction had already caused irreversible damage to coral reef ecosystems in Paradise Reef and Hizon Marine Protected Area. Environmental advocate Carmela Marie Santos expressed deep disappointment, emphasizing the destruction of centuries-old reefs and its impact on marine life and coastal communities. Marine biologist John Michael Lacson estimated that a fifth of Paradise Reef was already dead, with further damage expected. The Court of Appeals denied the TEPO without allowing the petitioners to present their case, despite a 222-page petition detailing the environmental harm. The ₱23-billion, 3.98-kilometer bridge, funded by a Chinese loan and set for completion in 2028, aims to reduce travel time between Davao City and Samal Island from 20 minutes by ferry to 5 minutes by car. Law professor Romeo Cabarde criticized the CA’s decision, citing the precautionary principle and failure to uphold constitutional mandates. Samal Mayor Lemuel Reyes welcomed the ruling, celebrating the continuation of the bridge project. Hearings on the Writ of Kalikasan are ongoing, with the next sessions scheduled for January 21 and February 12.
