China firms to build bridges in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte announced last Friday that Chinese firms will construct two bridges in Metro Manila, one in Manila and the other straddling Makati and Mandaluyong.

He said he will witness the ground-breaking ceremony for the P4.61-billion project, duly approved by the National Economic and Development Authority.  

The first of the two bridges will connect two districts in Manila, while the other will replace the existing bridge connecting Mandaluyong and Makati’s posh Rockwell area.

“It’s in my schedule for the week. I forgot what day it is. I will break the grounds,” Duterte said in a speech during the National Science and Technology Week celebration last Friday in Davao City.

Last year, Duterte and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang witnessed the exchange of letters at Malacañang between Public Works Secretary Mark Villar and International Trade Representative and Vice Minister of Commerce Fu Ziying. 

The agreement on the bridges is just one of 14 contained in memoranda that the two sides signed during Li’s visit.

The Department of Public Works and Highways and two Chinese firms – CCCC Highway Consultant Ltd., and contractor China Road and Bridge Corporation – reportedly signed a P5.27-billion contract to construct the bridges.