Philippines eyes China grant for P6.95 billion Panglao-Tagbilaran bridge

The Philippine government is targeting to secure a new grant from the Chinese government to finance a P6.955-billion proposed bridge project connecting Panglao Island and mainland Tagbilaran City in Bohol Province, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said Saturday.

“We are looking forward to the approval of official development assistance through a grant from China for the proposed Panglao-Tagbilaran City Offshore Bridge Connector (PTCOBC) Project”, said Public Works Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations Emil Sadain.

The DPWH said it secured the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board's go signal for the bridge project this year and submitted the requisite documents needed in securing grant financing to the Department of Finance (DOF).

As early as 2020, the agency said the P6.955-billion project was confirmed by the DOF to be under a China grant by the Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy during the preparatory meeting for the Philippines-China High-Level Meeting.

The planned four-lane 2.7-kilometer Panglao-Tagbilaran bridge connecting mainland Bohol to the island municipalities of Dauis and Panglao will incorporate the “iconic cable-stayed design.”

With Bohol among the top tourist destinations in the country, travelers are expected to benefit from the proposed bridge as it will cut travel time from Tagbilaran City seaport to Panglao Island to 15 minutes from 45 minutes during peak periods, and will serve as an alternative route to the Jacinto Borja Bridge and Ambassador Suarez Bridge, according to Sadain.

Apart from the Chinese grant, the DPWH said it was also looking at the option of securing financing support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the Urgent Bridges Construction Project for Rural Development (UBCPRD), Phase II – Component 1.

Meanwhile, Public Works Secretary Roger Mercado said that civil works activities have resumed for the locally-funded component of the Panglao-Tagbilaran bridge project implemented by DPWH Regional Office 7.

The locally funded component of the Panglao-Tagbilaran bridge project covers the construction of 240 meters of offshore bridges, 42.7 meters of short-span bridges, and 1,398 meters of an approach road, the DPWH said.

The ongoing works, which was funded by the General Appropriations Act of 2018 and 2020, would be connected to the proposed 1,012 meters four-lane bridge to be implemented by DPWH UPMO Bridges Management Cluster. — DVM, GMA News