The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced a major milestone in Philippine infrastructure with the ceremonial breakthrough of the Southbound Tunnel of the Davao City Bypass Construction Project (DCBCP). The event, held at the project’s South Portal in Barangay Waan, marked the successful connection of the tunnel’s north and south ends, a critical step toward the project’s completion.
The 2.3-kilometer tunnel is the centerpiece of the 45.5-kilometer Davao City Bypass and stands as the first long-distance mountain road tunnel in the Philippines. The breakthrough follows the completion of excavation works for the northbound tunnel in April 2025.
Leading the ceremony were key Philippine and Japanese officials, including DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain and Undersecretary Eric A. Ayapana. They were joined by Second Secretary Akito Kinoshita of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, Consul General Ono Hirotaka of the Consulate General of Japan in Davao, and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Senior Representative Keisuke Fukui, highlighting the strong international partnership.
In a speech delivered by Senior Undersecretary Sadain, on behalf of DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, the achievement was hailed as a significant step toward President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s “Build Better More” program.
“We are grateful for the unwavering support of the Government of Japan through JICA, whose official development assistance has been instrumental in achieving this milestone,” said Senior Undersecretary Sadain. “The construction of the Philippines’ first long-distance twin-tube mountain road tunnel, featuring cutting-edge technologies, strongly proves our national government’s steadfast commitment to enhanced regional connectivity and a more resilient and inclusive Bagong Pilipinas for all Filipinos.”
The event concluded with the traditional Japanese Kagami Wari, a ceremonial sake barrel breaking, symbolizing harmony, good fortune, and new beginnings.
The Davao City Bypass Construction Project is a flagship infrastructure initiative funded through a combination of JICA Loan Agreements PH-P261 and PH-P273 and counterpart funding from the Government of the Philippines. Despite operational challenges, the DPWH remains committed to completing the project by 2028.
