The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has reached a major milestone in the construction of the country’s soon-to-be longest mountain road tunnel—part of the 45.5-kilometer, four-lane Davao City Bypass Construction Project (DCBCP).
Spanning 2.3 kilometers through mountainous terrain, the twin-tube tunnel is a centerpiece of the flagship infrastructure project being implemented under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s “Build Better More” initiative. This program supports the broader vision of Bagong Pilipinas—a more connected, inclusive, and progressive Philippines.
According to DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, engineers have successfully connected the north and south portal ends of the northbound tunnel, marking a significant advancement in the project’s timeline.
Built to improve regional mobility and reduce traffic congestion in Davao City, the bypass will offer a faster, safer alternative route for motorists. It stretches from Barangay Sirawan in Toril, Davao City to Barangay J.P. Laurel in Panabo City.
In his report to DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, Sadain also highlighted that the excavation of the southbound tunnel is 91% complete, with only 202 meters remaining.
Financed through a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) loan and local government funding, the DCBCP is expected to drive economic development by improving logistics, connecting communities, and stimulating investment throughout the Davao Region.
On April 11, 2025, Undersecretary Sadain led an on-site inspection of the tunnel under Contract Package I-1, which covers 10.7 kilometers and is now 58.7% complete. The construction is being handled by the Shimizu-Ulticon-Takenaka joint venture. Sadain was joined by UPMO-Roads Management Cluster 1 Project Director Benjamin A. Bautista, UPMO-Bridges Management Cluster Project Director Rodrigo I. Delos Reyes, and Stakeholders Relations Service Director Randy R. Del Rosario.
The team also assessed the progress of Contract Package II-1, which includes a 2.54-kilometer stretch featuring seven bridges. Currently 72.83% complete, this segment is being built by the CavDeal/WECI/Coastland Joint Venture, with support from various UPMO engineers and project managers. Completion is targeted for the first quarter of 2026.
Meanwhile, Contract Package II-2—a 3.52-kilometer section worth P4.60 billion—is 63.89% finished and on track for completion by the third quarter of 2026.
Other segments under CP I-2 and CP I-3 are progressing steadily, while procurement for CP II-3 is set to begin soon.
Once completed, the Davao City Bypass will cut travel time between Toril and Panabo City from 1 hour and 44 minutes to just 49 minutes. This reduction is expected to boost regional trade, tourism, and investment—helping turn the Bagong Pilipinas vision into a reality for the people of Mindanao.
