The excavation of 2.3-kilometer southbound tunnel of the Davao City Bypass Construction Project (DCBCP) has been completed, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The southbound tunnel’s completion follows the excavation of the northbound tunnel in April 2025. Both twin tunnels have a 10-meter diameter.
The DPWH and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on Friday celebrated the successful connection of the tunnel’s north and south ends, completing excavation works on the structure, which is part of the 45.5-kilometer Davao City Bypass. It is the first long-distance mountain road tunnel in the Philippines.
The ceremony, held at the project’s South Portal in Barangay Waan, Davao City, was attended by key Philippine and Japanese officials, including DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain and Second Secretary Akito Kinoshita of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines.
In a speech delivered on behalf of DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Sadain said the achievement was a crucial step toward President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s goal of improving regional connectivity and national development.
“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,” Sadain said, adding that the partnership reinforces the long-standing ties between the two countries.
Sadain noted the project’s use of cutting-edge technology, calling it a strong example of the government’s “Build Better More” mission.
Civil works for the project’s Contract Package 1-1 began in December 2020. Awarded to the Shimizu–Ulticon–Takenaka Joint Venture, the phase includes a 10.7-kilometer four-lane highway, the 2.3-kilometer tunnel, three river-crossing bridges, two underpasses and six access roads. It is more than 61-percent complete and is targeted for completion by October 2026.
Funded by JICA and the Philippine government, the Davao City Bypass is currently 9.62 kilometers complete, with another 26.12 kilometers under active construction across five remaining contract packages.
The DPWH said it remains committed to completing the entire project by 2028, despite operational challenges such as difficult geotechnical conditions and shifting weather patterns.
