Davao City Council honors ex-PRRD and China for Bucana Bridge

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 10 December) — Days after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. inspected the ₱3.1-billion Bucana Bridge project, allies of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte in the City Council honored the detained Philippine leader and the Chinese government for the construction of the Bucana Bridge project.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his inspection of the Bucana Bridge on December 4. MindaNews photo by DANIEL JAMITO

During its regular session on Tuesday, the local legislative body passed two resolutions, one of which commending the Duterte administration for the establishment of the bridge as a “symbol of friendship and strong diplomatic cooperation” between the Philippines and China, and another recognizing the People’s Republic of China and Chinese President Xi Jinping for their “significant contribution and friendship” in the realization of the project.

In his privilege speech, 2nd District Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, author of the resolutions, said the bridge project, funded through a grant from the Chinese government, is one of the major flagship infrastructure projects under Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build” program.

“The construction and funding support for the Bucana Bridge form part of the Philippine-China cooperation under the Duterte administration, representing enhanced bilateral relations, economic coordination, and infrastructure collaboration between the two nations,” he said.

The visit of President Marcos Jr. on December 4 to inspect the Bucana bridge drew backlash from Duterte’s supporters, accusing the incumbent of “credit-grabbing.”

However, during a “Business Forum at NCCC” on December 5, Mindanao Development Authority chairperson Leo Magno maintained that there was “nothing political” about Marcos’ visit.

Dayanghirang said that the Philippines and China have shared “centuries of cultural and trade exchanges, dating back to the pre-colonial period, when Chinese merchants, craftsmen, and traders engaged with Filipino communities — a relationship that eventually evolved into formal diplomatic ties established on June 9, 1975.”

He added that the diplomatic relations of the Philippines and China had grown further during the Duterte presidency.

He said the establishment of the Bucana Bridge serves as a “symbol of friendship” between the two countries.

“The assistance of China in developing key infrastructure in Mindanao, particularly in Davao City, reflects a deepened bilateral cooperation and a commitment to shared progress, development, and mutual respect,” he said.

According to information published by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on its website, the bridge, a 1.34-kilometer, four-lane, six-span structure, is an integral part of the 17.8-kilometer Davao City Coastal Bypass Road traversing from Agdao to Bago Aplaya.

According to Dayanghirang, the “project aims to significantly ease the traffic congestion in various key areas in Davao City, enhance mobility from the coastal zones to the central business districts, and provide safer and more efficient access routes for the general public.” (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)