Ulas Viaduct Construction Progresses to 78.6% Completion Amid Ongoing Challenges
The Regional Project Monitoring Committee-Davao Region (RPMC-Davao), operating under the Regional Development Council-Davao, has announced that the funded sections of the Ulas viaduct have achieved a 78.6 percent completion rate. This significant milestone was reported in a statement dated February 22, 2026, highlighting the project's advancement in key structural components.
According to the RPMC-Davao, critical structural milestones, including footing, column, and coping concrete pours, have been successfully completed. These achievements underscore the technical progress made on the viaduct, which is part of the broader Davao City Diversion Road Extension project.
Funding and Land Acquisition Hurdles Persist
Despite the progress, the project faces substantial obstacles. The office identified road-right-of-way acquisition and utility pole relocation as major challenges that continue to impede full completion. In response, a request for an additional P210 million has been made to address these issues and complete the remaining civil works.
The RPMC-Davao noted that previous funding requests for the project over the past years have not been approved in the General Appropriations Act, contributing to the delays. This funding gap has exacerbated the difficulties in resolving land and utility-related problems.
Historical Context and Project Delays
The Ulas Viaduct's construction has been plagued by delays since its inception. The Department of Public Works and Highways-Davao Region (DPWH-Davao) attributed these setbacks to issues related to Road Right of Way (RROW) and the relocation of utility poles owned by telecommunications companies.
Dean Ortiz, spokesperson for DPWH-Davao, elaborated during a media forum on November 27, 2024, at Ayala Malls Abreeza, stating that seven ongoing projects within the Ulas Viaduct development have been affected. Multiple works have been suspended due to RROW issues and the need to relocate utility and telecommunication poles.
The 2.6-kilometer Davao City Diversion Road Extension project began construction in May 2015, with an initial completion target of April 2016. Located above the existing Davao-Toril Highway, the project involves constructing a bridge upstream of the Talomo River, adjacent to the Coca-Cola plant.
However, the project was suspended on June 8, 2015, due to difficulties in negotiating RROW acquisition and obstructions caused by public utilities and telecommunication posts. These early challenges set the stage for the ongoing delays that persist today.
Broader Infrastructure Inspections in Davao City
The inspection of the Ulas Viaduct was conducted as part of a broader assessment of key connectivity projects in Davao City. The RPMC-Davao, in collaboration with the Department of Budget and Management-Davao Region (DBM-Davao), Department of Economy, Planning and Development-Davao (DepDev-Davao), and the Presidential Management Staff Southern Mindanao Field Unit, also evaluated other critical infrastructure.
These inspections included the Davao City Coastal Road, Davao International Airport, and the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project. This comprehensive review aims to ensure that all major development initiatives in the region are progressing as planned and to identify areas needing intervention.
The ongoing efforts to complete the Ulas Viaduct reflect the region's commitment to enhancing transportation infrastructure, but the persistent funding and land acquisition issues highlight the complexities involved in large-scale public works projects.
