The Ongoing Construction of Davao Coastal Road Project

A Position Paper Submitted to

English for Academic and Professional Purposes Faculty
Senior High School
Ateneo de Davao University

By;
Alfonso, Kyle Ashley
Basoc, Laika
Bugayong, Ron Francis
Ferido, Karl
Manabat, Wadem Mae
Mendoza, Angelica
Salindato, Gwyneth Zoe
Vallente, Alan Joseph

September 20, 2019

Topic: The Ongoing Construction of Coastal Road Project

Constructing roads are the pavement of direction on where we want to be such

as foot traffic and roadway for the community to use. The Davao Coastal Road
Project is one of the major undertakings of the administration of President Rodrigo
Duterte. The implementation of the project started in 2017, that serves as a solution to
curb traffic congestion in the southern part of Davao City. According to Ortiz, a
DPWH-XI chief information officer (2018), Coastal Road Project is developed to
divert traffic of one major road system—the Davao-Cotabato road with two arterial
routes going to McArthur Highway and the Diversion, which is not enough in a
growing city like Davao. The entire road project costs PHP19.8 billion and is targeted
for completion in 2022. The project will complement the two other major
infrastructure projects of the government which are the Davao City Bypass Road and
Davao City Expressway. Davao coastal road will serve as an alternative route to those
motorists who don't have a transaction in the city, therefore, it will decrease the traffic
rate that would be beneficial in the lifestyle of the people. In this accord, we are in
favor of the ongoing construction in coastal road vicinity as it paves the way for
reducing the traffic in Davao City.
 There are pros and cons regarding the davao coastal road project. The
disadvantages of each section is discussed as follows: the damage to the environment
by converting the shorelines into a road, risk the safety of commuters passing through
the coastal road, and lastly to affect the livelihood of the local fishermen. The Davao
Coastal Road Project is going to become the endpoint. Many Infrastructures, fishing
grounds, small business owners and beach resorts will be affected specifically the
environment near the road. On the negative side, roads form barriers for the animals
and occupy land resources. The three most damaging effects of road construction are
noise, dust and vibrations. As we know noise can affect our personality, it is also
defined as sound that is undesirable to the listeners, noise can’t be avoided because of
the vehicles they’ve used and also the equipments. Vibrations, and also noise, can
affect local fauna. Moreover, vibrations can cause damage to geological and
archaeological objects. Vibrations caused by poor road conditions can also be a risk to
the health of drivers as ROADEX research has shown [link: Johan Granlund report].
Also, dust is an almost inevitable consequence of the roadwork. It affects our
respiratory system when we breathe the dust that makes it more dangerous not only
the mixture and also the substance
(2nd Counter-argument Disaster prone)
Coastal roads albeit their advantages pose a serious potential safety risk to drivers.
Coasts are one of the few places that should be avoided during times of calamity such
as tsunamis, storm surges, and the like due to the tendency of coastal roads to not only
be within the vicinity of the danger zone but also due to the high chance of there
being little to no roads leading into the city to escape the calamity. A storm surge can
occur during times where powerful winds due to an oncoming storm are pushing the
water onto shore and causing an alarming rise in water levels (NOAA, 2018). This
unusual rise in water levels can cause cars to stall on the coastal roads and leave
individuals stranded or be pulled into the shores due to the waves and strong currents
of the water accompanied by the powerful winds. Potentially a tsunami may also
occur which is known to have a high-mortality rate pertaining to individuals near or
on the coast due to the giant wave that is supplemented by fast waters and high
destructive power. The occurrence of a tsunami not only poses a lethal threat to
coastal drivers but will also induce panic wherein mass hysteria takes over the area.
The likelihood of these dangers that this road exposes to motorists to occur is low but
if such a phenomena where to occur the lives of individuals in the area will more than
likely be forfeit due to the circumstances.

(3rd Counter-argument LIVELIHOOD)

One of the disadvantages of the coastal road construction is that it will affect small
businesses located in that area. The restaurant owners from Times Beach Davao City
expressed their demise regarding the coastal road construction. Due to the
construction of the coastal road, their establishments will have to be demolished to
give way to the setting up of the recreational area that is a part of the said project.
Meanwhile, our local fishermen may be at risk of losing their main source of income.
An article written by Basallajes (2018) states the concerns raised by the fishermen of
Barangay Alambre, Toril District towards the construction of the coastal road, stating
that it would deprive them of having access to a safer shoreline to store their boats
safely. They would also have to move away from the shorelines as their houses will
be demolished to make way for the construction of the coastal road.
(1st pro-argument ALTERNATIVE ROUTE)

Despite the numerous factors that the coastal road would have a negative
impact towards Davao city, there are also these reasons why the Davao city coastal
road was approved in 2017 which would not only benefit the city but also the
neighboring cities. The major advantage of this road is to have another alternative
route for vehicles going south to north and vice versa. As mentioned, Davao city only
has its one major road system—the Davao-Cotabato road with two arterial routes
going to McArthur Highway and the Diversion. Having to become a developing city,
it may become one of the biggest solutions when it comes to situations that cannot be
controlled in these highways. According to chief Dionisio Abude (2019), there are
several other factors that contribute to the worsening traffic condition in the city, such
as the ongoing road construction/repair, repair of bridges, widening, and undisciplined
drivers. Also, for the neighboring cities who needs to pass by and does not have any
transactions within the city itself, given this alternative route could lessen the
increasing vehicles in davao City. As Dr. Diaz mentioned (2017), Dabawenyos also
perceive that overpopulation, limited lanes, and insufficient roads/route are among the
reasons of traffic congestion. These are vital in ensuring a sustainable livelihood for
Dabawenyos (Doquila, 2019). Thus, this development plan of the coastal road among
the city will bring lots of opportunities for all the Dabawenyos and in the near future.

(2nd pro-argument DEVELOPMENT)

The Davao coastal road construction is one of the infrastructure projects that will
transform the city into a center for manufacturing and agro-industry and will have
many advantages for its people, in the years to come, this coastal road construction
will be created to connect nearby provinces to pave way for economic growth and
development. Through this road, many investments and employment will be
generated in the city. Finance Secretary Carlos Domiguez III (2018) said all these
initiatives “we’ll surely contribute to creating a positive and transparent environment
for enterprises. Strong businesses are what we ultimately need to provide meaningful
employment opportunities and create the goods our people need.” with this project,
Davao City will be heading towards an aggressive monetary advancement. According
to DCCCII president Arturo Milan (2019) “Once we have investors, we expect that
there will increase trade activities. Our facilities must be upgraded to a level that is
competitive to our neighboring cities and countries,” with this statement, Davao city
is in need of coastal road because of our investors, many transactions and
transportation will take place in our city, in addition, roads provide transport for
people and goods. These infrastructure projects, especially coastal road, are vital in
ensuring a sustainable livelihood for Dabawenyos.

(3rd pro-argument)
Conclusion:
The Davao Coastal Road Project will be beneficial for the residents of Davao City
once it is completed. The road can greatly help in reducing traffic and allow travelling
to be faster, and contribute to the economical development of the city by transforming
Davao into a center of manufacturing and agro-industry. However, these advantages
come with its disadvantages. It causes damage to the environment by converting the
shorelines into a road, risk the safety of commuters passing through the coastal road,
and affect the livelihood of the local fishermen. Despite these disadvantages, the
benefits that the city would gain will be more than make up for it. In order to decrease
the effects of these disadvantages, the city government should devise a plan for the
coastal road that addresses the concerns regarding these. The city government can
provide a pier along the coastal road that the affected fishermen can use, as well as a
plan to maintain the cleanliness along the coast to somehow lessen its negative effects
to the environment. Through this, the city can take advantages of its benefits while
reducing the disadvantages that come with it.

References

Casamayor, L. (2019) Davao coastal road 44% complete. Retrieved from

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1807448
Revita, J. (2019) Portion of coastal road to be opened. Retrieved from
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1787084

Basallajes, M. J. (2018) Davao fishermen raise concerns about coastal road project.
Retrieved from

Suarez, J (2019) Waves as big as houses displace 357 families in Davao City coastal
villages. Retrieved from
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1149693/waves-as-big-as-houses-displace-357-families-i
n-davao-city-coastal-villages

Doquila, G. (2018) New infra to link Davao City to nearby places. Retrieved from
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1777676

Revita, J. (2019) Worsening traffic in Davao noted. Retrieved from

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1807583

Canedo, K. (2017) Dabawenyos say traffic has worsened in past 6 months. Retrieved
from https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/406723

Sunstar Davao (2019) Davao chamber: Hasten infrastructure projects. Retrieved from
https://ppp.gov.ph/in_the_news/davao-chamber-hasten-infrastructure-projects/?fbclid
=lwAR3LWL-niCkE9IED

Nanoos (___) Coastal Hazard: What are Coastal Hazard? Retrieved from
http://www.nanoos.org/education/themes/coastal_hazards.php
Bombo Radyo Davao (2018) Mga restaurant owner sa Times Beach mibati ug
kabalaka tungod sa coastal road project. Retrieved from
https://www.bomboradyo.com/davao/mga-restaurant-owner-sa-times-beach-mibati-ug
-kabalaka-tungod-sa-coastal-road-project/amp/?fbclid=IwAR1dDspDHVFtAldyFHC
PWuD2C3gaUGsc7Uuwjyyn4KtfYebiMNUl-37S9Uk

https://www.google.com/amp/s/sanamagan.wordpress.com/2017/02/28/why-the-dava
o-coastal-road-project-is-a-bad-idea/amp/

https://www.roadex.org/e-learning/lessons/environmental-considerations-for-low-volu
me-roads/environmental-issues-related-to-road-management/

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1777676

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/hazards/natural-hazards/