The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is advancing steadily on the 45.5km Davao City Bypass Construction Project (DCBCP). The P13.230 billion DCBCP Contract Package I-1 -  awarded on October 2020 to the Shimizu - Ulticon - Takenaka joint venture - is financed in part through a Special Terms for Economic Partnership (STEP) Loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The contract covers 10.7 km of four lane highway and the 2.3-km road mountain tunnel, which once completed, will be the longest tunnel in the Philippines.

On January 27, 2025 Embassy of Japan in the Philippines Ambassador Kazuya Endo and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain inspected the twin-tube tunnel: excavation for the northbound tunnel is over 95% complete, while the southbound tunnel is more than 85% finished. A tunnel breakthrough, a long-awaited event which brings to an end the most critical phase of tunnelling, is expected by the second quarter of 2025.

Once completed, the Davao City Bypass Construction Project  - crucial for cutting through the mountainous terrain and providing a direct and safer route for motorists - will reduce travel time between Toril and Panabo City from 1 hour and 44 minutes to just 49 minutes, helping to alleviate traffic congestion and boost productivity. The project will also stimulate economic activity, opening up new opportunities for trade, tourism, and business, while creating thousands of jobs.

For further information click here for tunnelbuilder archive. Visit https://www.dpwh.gov.ph/. 05/25.