DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 11 July) — Petitioners in the Writ of Kalikasan case against the Samal Island–Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project expressed disappointment over the Court of Appeals’ decision to deny their request for a Temporary Environmental Protection Order (TEPO). The petitioners stated that the TEPO would have stopped construction activities allegedly causing irreversible damage to coral reefs in Paradise Reef (Samal) and the Hizon Marine Protected Area (Davao City). The Court ruled that issuing the TEPO would disrupt an ongoing government infrastructure project and harm public interest, adding that the petitioners failed to prove extreme urgency or irreparable harm.
Carmela Marie Santos of the Sustainable Davao Movement lamented the decision, saying it permits further harm to marine ecosystems vital to coastal communities. Despite the setback, she affirmed their commitment to upholding environmental laws and protecting biodiversity. The petitioners cited scientific evidence of coral destruction and declining fish catch but noted these concerns were not deemed urgent enough for intervention.
The Supreme Court had earlier issued a Writ of Kalikasan against several government agencies and the China Road and Bridge Corporation, directing them to respond within 10 days. Meanwhile, Samal Mayor Lemuel Reyes celebrated the ruling, calling it “the best news” and affirming the bridge project’s continuation. Davao City Acting Mayor Sebastian Duterte had not issued a statement as of 7 pm. (MindaNews)
