The ambitious Davao City Bypass Construction Project (DCBCP) is forging ahead, with its landmark twin tunnels on track to become the longest mountain road tunnels in the Philippines upon completion. As of the end of December 2025, the entire 45.5-kilometer bypass project has achieved a significant milestone, reaching an overall completion rate of 49.26 percent.
Record-Breaking Tunnels Nearing Connection
At the heart of this massive infrastructure endeavor are the project's twin tunnels, each stretching an impressive 2.3 kilometers. Excavation for the northbound tunnel was successfully finished in March 2025. Progress on the southbound tunnel is also in its final stages, with only 117 meters left to excavate. Engineers anticipate that both ends of the southbound tunnel will be connected between July and August of this year, marking a pivotal achievement for the project.
Detailed Progress Across Six Contract Packages
Priscilla R. Sonido, Regional Director of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development–Davao Region (DepDev-Davao), outlined that the DCBCP is being executed through six distinct contract packages. Three packages benefit from a loan provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), while the national government funds the other three.
Contract Package I-1, which includes the 2.3-km twin tunnels, a 7.9-km road, and several bridges and overpasses, is the most advanced at 65.89 percent complete.
Contract Package I-2, which began construction in December 2024, has reached 7.45 percent completion. This segment starts at Barangay Sirawan in Toril and is seen as crucial for future traffic decongestion.
Contract Package I-3, a 5.5-km stretch that will link to the tunnels, has a 3.42 percent accomplishment rate.
In Phase 2, Contract Package II-1 leads with 88.78 percent progress, featuring a high bridge-to-road ratio. Contract Package II-2 follows at 80.75 percent complete. The final segment, Contract Package II-3, is scheduled for procurement in 2026 and will extend the bypass to its endpoint in Panabo City.
Transformative Impact on Travel and Economy
The primary goal of the DCBCP is to drastically improve connectivity and logistics in the Davao Region. Once operational, the bypass road will link Barangay Sirawan in Davao City to Barangay J.P. Laurel in Panabo City.
The most dramatic benefit will be the reduction in travel time. The current journey of 1 hour and 44 minutes via the Maharlika Highway will be cut to just 49 minutes using the new bypass. This efficiency is expected to ease severe traffic congestion on the city's main roads, boost economic activity, and support the broader urban development of Davao City.
Project Manager Engr. Joselito Reyes of the Department of Public Works and Highways-Davao Region (DPWH-Davao) confirmed that the entire Davao City Bypass Construction Project is on schedule to be fully operational by 2028. He explained that while each of the six packages has a different starting date, each has a standard construction duration of approximately three years, leading to the 2028 completion target.
