As a Filipino; my personal thanks to Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for enabling this big project in Philippines.

Japanese technical standards applied to structural and the emergency equipment.

Article:

A significant milestone in the Philippine government’s flagship infrastructure program was reached on Monday, April 28, 2025 with the ceremonial breakthrough of the 2.3-kilometer northbound tunnel of the Davao City Bypass Construction Project (DCBCP), held at the North Portal in Barangay Waan, Davao City.

The event, which marks the completion of tunnel excavation works for the two (2) lanes northbound tube, was led by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan alongside Japan’s Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Nakano Hiromasa; Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya; and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chief Representative Takashi Baba.

“This tunnel breakthrough is more than a civil engineering triumph. It represents a bold step in realizing the Build Better More agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., laying the groundwork for a more connected, resilient, and inclusive Bagong Pilipinas”, Secretary Bonoan said.

Secretary Bonoan expressed deep appreciation to the Government of Japan thru JICA for their technical expertise and continued support. He also commended the dedication of the DPWH Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations led by Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, and contractor Shimizu-Ulticon-Takenaka Joint Venture and consultant Nippon Koei-Nippon Engineering-Katahira Engineers and Philkoei Joint Venture.

The event was also participated by Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno of Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa) and other high-ranking DPWH officials, including Senior Undersecretary Sadain; Undersecretaries Eugenio R. Pipo, Jr., Eric A. Ayapana, and Anne Sharlyne G. Lapuz; Assistant Secretaries Loreta M. Malaluan and Michael S. Villafranca; and UPMO Project Directors Benjamin A. Bautista, Ramon A. Arriola III, Rodrigo I. Delos Reyes, and Eileen I. Diya; Regional Office XI Director Juby B. Cordon; Directors Randy R. Del Rosario, Juliana D. Vergara, and Reynaldo P. Faustino; and former Project Director Virgilio C. Castillo.

Also in attendance are JICA Senior Representative Fukui Keisuke; First Secretary Ide Masashi and Second Secretary Kinoshita Akito of the Embassy of Japan; and Consulate-General of Japan in Davao Ishikawa Yoshihisa.

The 45.5-kilometer Davao City Bypass is a four-lane, high-capacity highway designed to ease congestion in Davao City and enhance regional connectivity. Once completed, it will reduce travel time between Barangay Sirawan in Toril and Barangay J.P. Laurel in Panabo City from 1 hour and 44 minutes to just 49 minutes—accelerating economic growth across the Davao Region and neighboring provinces.

According to Senior Undersecretary Sadain, the DCBCP is being implemented through six (6) contract packages, five (5) of which are currently under active construction. Procurement for the final package is expected in the third quarter of 2025.

“This tunnel is both a literal and symbolic passage toward a brighter future. It reflects our shared vision of infrastructure that fosters sustainability, economic growth, and strengthened bilateral ties with Japan”, said Senior Undersecretary Sadain.

Showcasing the rich cultural ties between the Philippines and Japan, the ceremony featured a traditional Japanese Kagami Wari (sake barrel breaking) and a ribbon-cutting, symbolizing unity and shared celebration.

Using the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) or the sequential excavation method, the project’s twin tunnels will be the longest mountain road tunnels constructed in the Philippines. The northbound tunnel breakthrough highlights the synergy of Philippine-Japanese collaboration and the integration of cutting-edge tunneling technology with local engineering expertise.

The Davao City Bypass is targeted for full completion and operation by 2028.

Source: Republic of Philippines, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). press release.