MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has issued a writ of kalikasan against key government agencies and a Chinese contractor over alleged threats to marine biodiversity caused by the construction of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Bridge.

In G.R. No. 279512, petitioners Carmela Marie Santos, Mark Peñalver, and the Sustainable Davao Movement sought to halt the project, citing “actual, serious, and irreversible damage” to coral reefs in Paradise Reef off Samal Island and the Hizon Marine Protected Area in Davao City.

Named respondents in the petition are the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Samal Island Protected Landscape and Seascape Protected Area Management Board, and Chinese contractor China Road and Bridge Corporation.

The High Court ordered the respondents to file a verified return within a non-extendible period of 10 days from receipt of the writ.

The SC also referred the petitioners’ request for a Temporary Environmental Protection Order (TEPO) to the Court of Appeals in Cagayan de Oro for appropriate action.