PH Proposes 6 More Priority Infra Projects for China Funding

The Philippine government has identified at least six infrastructure projects, bulk of which is located in Mindanao, under the second basket of projects it would propose for possible funding by China.

“There is a long list (of projects) but we have prioritized six, possibly four from Mindanao,” bared Joseph Capistrano, officer-in-charge of National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Public Investment Staff (PIS) Asia Pacific Division.

Capistrano, in an interview on the sidelines of Philippines-China economic forum Monday, said these projects comprise roads, ports and airport.

“Most of them have yet to the submitted to the NEDA. We are looking at discussing (these projects) when high officials of China are going (here) next year,” he said.

NEDA-PIS OIC Director Hazel Iris Baliatan said they are in discussion to identify which projects will be included in the second basket of projects for Chinese financing.

“If you notice, we can tap Chinese financing for almost all areas. We have airport development railway, public safety, bus rapid transit, fish port, hydroelectric power so it’s almost everything,” she said in the forum.

Baliatan further said these projects are in addition to eight projects the Philippines already submitted for Chinese funding under the first basket.

These projects include the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project, New Centennial Water Source and North-South Railway Project for possible loan financing; and the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges Project and Davao City Expressway Project for feasibility study support.

Baliatan said projects for grant assistance are the Binondo-Intramuros and Estrella-Pantaleon Bridges Construction Projects and Philippine-Sino Center for Agricultural Technology-Technical Cooperation Program Phase III. (PNA)