The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has reached a major milestone in the Bucana (Davao River) Bridge Project in Davao City with the final concrete pouring of the bridge deck slab, signifying the completion of the project’s major structural components.
Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, who oversees DPWH Infrastructure Flagship Projects under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Build Better More program, led the ceremonial final concrete pouring activity on July 18, 2025, at the segment between Pier 2 and Pier 3—effectively linking the entire bridge structure from Pier 1 to Pier 5.
The Bucana Bridge, also known as the China Aid Localized Project for the Davao River Bridge, is a key component of the Davao City Coastal Road Network. Designed to improve traffic flow and enhance connectivity across the Davao River, the project supports the Marcos administration’s Bagong Pilipinas vision by strengthening infrastructure, promoting regional growth, and improving the daily lives of Filipinos through better mobility.
With a total contract cost of ₱3.126 billion, the project is funded through a China Aid Grant under the Official Development Assistance (ODA) program of the Government of the People’s Republic of China.
In his report to Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, Senior Undersecretary Sadain said the project remains on track for completion by October 2025.
“This final concrete pour marks a key moment — the physical structure of the bridge is nearly complete. We are looking forward to turning over the fully completed bridge to the public by the last quarter of this year,” said Senior Undersecretary Sadain.
The Bucana Bridge features a four-lane, six-span extradosed design measuring approximately 480 meters in length, with a total project length of 1,340 meters including the approach roads. It will serve as a vital link between Barangays 76-A Bucana and Matina Aplaya, easing congestion in downtown Davao and providing a faster, more efficient route for motorists and commuters.
The installation of stay cables for all piers was completed earlier, on June 26, 2025.
Over the coming months, final works will continue, including pavement finishing, curing, lighting installation, pedestrian railings, and other safety features.
Project implementation is managed by the DPWH Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) – Bridges Management Cluster, under the leadership of Project Director Rodrigo I. Delos Reyes, with Acting Project Manager Norifel Teddie G. Cadiang and Project Engineer John Christian T. Gaden serving as project-in-charge.
Among those who attended the final concrete pouring ceremony were DPWH UPMO Project Directors Benjamin A. Bautista, Soledad R. Florencio, and Rodrigo I. Delos Reyes; Stakeholders Relations Service Director Randy R. Del Rosario; former Project Director Virgilio C. Castillo; Project Managers Shirley Castro and Lydia Barsolaso from the Office of the Senior Undersecretary; and other staff from the DPWH UPMO Operations.
