The Panglao-Tagbilaran City Offshore Bridge Connector Project is awaiting for the grant from China.
This was the update of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) through project director Rodrigo Delos Reyes to Cong. Edgar Chatto.
In a letter dated February 21, Delos Reyes said that there is no official documentation confirming the withdrawal of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) that is supporting the supposed Grant financing of the third bridge project.
According to them the Department of Finance (DOF) still noted the project as pipelined for the Chinese Grant Financing and is required to be officially delisted therefrom.
DPWH, however, assured that even without China’s categorical withdrawal of project, the agency is contemplating other development partners to finance the project.
Among the development partners being considered to finance the project is the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
This was the agency’s response to Chatto’s request for updates on the project.
Meanwhile, the DOF through Usec. Mark Dennis Joven expressed the commitment of national government of its readiness for counterpart funding should another Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) be agreed with in the implementation of the project.
Chatto reported that a joint meeting of the Senate and the House of Representatives through Senator Sherwin Gatchalian and former President now congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo discussed ODA projects that included the third bridge.
These developments were reported by Chatto during Friday’s Kita Ug Atong Kongresista.
He explained that the third bridge project was a product of planning with the foresight of traffic once the Bohol Panglao International Airport would be completed.
Its implementation comprised of national government funding for the approaches and foreign assistance for the main connector bridge.
Chatto said the project remains a priority of government as it is a needed infrastructure for ease and convenience of travel between Panglao and Tagbilaran.