Duterte Leads Groundbreaking of 2 Bridges in NCR

President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday led the groundbreaking ceremony of the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge in Manila and the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge connecting the cities of Mandaluyong and Makati.

The President was joined by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua and Cabinet members including Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

The President said the construction of the two bridges will not just connect the various strategic areas “but will also contribute to our quest to spur vibrant economic activity to an efficient and reliable road transportation network”.

He then directed the DPWH and the other agencies concerned to ensure that the construction of thee bridges will be finished within 30 months or earlier.

The President said the China-funded bridges are important part of the government’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program, which is comprised of 79 flagship projects including roads, bridges, railways, airports, seaports and irrigation systems.

According to the DPWH, the PHP4.243 billion Binondo-Intramuros Bridge project is two-way four lane bridge with a total length of 734 meters, envisioned to provide Binondo district a new link to Intramusros and vice versa.

On the other hand, the PHP1.229 billion Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge is a 506.46-meter reconstructed bridge connecting Estrella Street in Makati to Barangaka Drive in Mandaluyong.

DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said the two China Grant-Aid projects are part of the Metro Manila Logistics Improvement Network , which intends to construct 12 new bridges crossing Pasig River, Marikina River, and Manggahan Floodway.