Yoshi’s passion for Mindanao（Vol 5: Davao Bypass construction project）
2023/12/26
Here is a project which many Davaoeños look forward to its completion with high expectations. It is the Davao Bypass construction project, one of Japan’s ODA (official development assistance) loan projects which a Shimizu–Ulticon-Takenaka joint venture (JV) has contracted. I have participated in several events such as the tunnel excavation ceremony and am on friendly relations with the project members.
Davao city has experienced remarkable economic growth in recent years. However, since all logistics pour into the central part of the city, traffic congestion has worsened year by year. Davao Bypass road is approximately 46 kilometers long which connects Sirawan in southern Davao City to Panabo City in the north bypassing the city center. Once the project is completed, the travel time between the two points is expected to shorten from around 90 minutes to around 50 minutes. And traffic congestion in Davao city proper will be improved drastically.
The amount of yen loan is about 34.8 billion Japanese yen (approximately 14 billion pesos). The JV is in charge of 10.7 kilometers, the central part of the road, including the 2.3 kilometers-long tunnel which has attracted very much attention. To my surprise, it is the first time that full-scale mountain tunnel road is excavated in the Philippines.
Japan’s most leading-edge technology from abundant experiences is brought in for the construction project. Ventilation, traffic control and disaster prevention measures are also essential part of the project. And the construction is now operated safely with extra care. Shimizu Corporation has constructed tunnels in foreign countries. Under the Davao Bypass construction project, many Indonesian engineers who learned the know-how of the tunnel construction are now on working and sweating together with the Filipino engineers. I am sure that the Filipino engineers of the Davao Bypass construction project will construct tunnels by themselves in the near future, such as Dalton Pass East Alignment Alternative Road Project, etc. and they contribute to the development of their home country, the Philippines. I also believe that someday, the Filipino engineers will likewise instruct other developing countries to construct tunnels. Generous Technology Transfer, it is the essence of Japan‘s economic cooperation and we are proud of that. I would like to express my heartfelt respect to those who are involved in the project and I renew my strong desire to witness the completion of the Davao Bypass construction project.
December 26, 2023 Ishikawa Yoshihisa
Davao city has experienced remarkable economic growth in recent years. However, since all logistics pour into the central part of the city, traffic congestion has worsened year by year. Davao Bypass road is approximately 46 kilometers long which connects Sirawan in southern Davao City to Panabo City in the north bypassing the city center. Once the project is completed, the travel time between the two points is expected to shorten from around 90 minutes to around 50 minutes. And traffic congestion in Davao city proper will be improved drastically.
The amount of yen loan is about 34.8 billion Japanese yen (approximately 14 billion pesos). The JV is in charge of 10.7 kilometers, the central part of the road, including the 2.3 kilometers-long tunnel which has attracted very much attention. To my surprise, it is the first time that full-scale mountain tunnel road is excavated in the Philippines.
Japan’s most leading-edge technology from abundant experiences is brought in for the construction project. Ventilation, traffic control and disaster prevention measures are also essential part of the project. And the construction is now operated safely with extra care. Shimizu Corporation has constructed tunnels in foreign countries. Under the Davao Bypass construction project, many Indonesian engineers who learned the know-how of the tunnel construction are now on working and sweating together with the Filipino engineers. I am sure that the Filipino engineers of the Davao Bypass construction project will construct tunnels by themselves in the near future, such as Dalton Pass East Alignment Alternative Road Project, etc. and they contribute to the development of their home country, the Philippines. I also believe that someday, the Filipino engineers will likewise instruct other developing countries to construct tunnels. Generous Technology Transfer, it is the essence of Japan‘s economic cooperation and we are proud of that. I would like to express my heartfelt respect to those who are involved in the project and I renew my strong desire to witness the completion of the Davao Bypass construction project.
December 26, 2023 Ishikawa Yoshihisa