The Philippine government marked a major infrastructure milestone with the ceremonial breakthrough of the 2.3-kilometer northbound tunnel of the Davao City Bypass Construction Project (DCBCP) on April 28, 2025, signaling the completion of excavation works for one of the country’s most ambitious underground transport projects.
The event, held at the North Portal in Barangay Waan, Davao City, was led by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan and attended by top Japanese officials, including Japan’s Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Nakano Hiromasa, Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya, and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chief Representative Takashi Baba.
The twin tunnels—constructed using the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM)—are set to become the longest mountain road tunnels in the Philippines, reflecting Japan’s technological input and long-standing infrastructure cooperation with the country.
The project is being executed by the Shimizu-Ulticon-Takenaka Joint Venture, with consultancy from a Nippon Koei-led group.
The Davao City Bypass spans 45.5 kilometers and is designed to alleviate congestion in Davao City, cutting travel time between Barangay Sirawan in Toril and Barangay J.P. Laurel in Panabo City to 49 minutes from the current 1 hour and 44 minutes.
Five out of six contract packages are now under active construction, with the final package scheduled for procurement in Q3 2025.
Funded through official development assistance from Japan, the bypass is part of the Marcos administration’s “Build Better More” agenda. Full project completion is targeted by 2028.
The ceremony highlighted the strong bilateral ties through a traditional Japanese sake barrel breaking and ribbon-cutting, symbolizing unity and shared progress in infrastructure development. – MiningNewsPhilippines.com