Davao region, Marawi City stand to gain from infra deals signed by PH, China

DAVAO CITY – The deals signed between the Philippines and China during the two-day state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the country included infrastructure projects for Davao Region and Marawi City.

A total of 29 deals were signed between the Philippines and China on infrastructure, oil and gas exploration, education, information technology, cash assistance, and agriculture, among others.

For his hometown, President Duterte signed with President Xi the implementation agreement of the feasibility study for the Davao City Expressway project and the exchange of letters on Davao River Bridge Project.

Last year, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III and China Commerce Vice Minister Fu Ziying, who is also China’s International Trade Representative, formalized the agreement on the conduct of preliminary feasibility study for the proposed 23.3-kilometer (km.) expressway.

It will be constructed above ground and will be implemented in three phases: First phase will start from Carlos P. Garcia National Highway, Maa, Talomo, and Sta. Ana Wharf; second phase, from Carlos P. Garcia National Highway, to Maa, to Talomo, and to Panacan; and third phase, from Carlos P. Garcia National Highway, to Maa, to Talomo, and to Bangkal.

The 800-meter Davao River bridge project is worth R1.5 billion and will connect Segment B (Times Beach area to Roxas Avenue) of the 18.20-kilometer Davao City Coastal Road Project. Segment B is scheduled for implementation next year.

The other three segments of this coastal road project include Segment A (from Bago Aplaya to Times Beach), Segment C (from Roxas Avenue to Sta. Ana Avenue), and Segment D (from Sta. Ana Avenue to R. Castillo).

The two leaders also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) jointly promoting cooperation in key infrastructure projects in the Davao region between the Philippines’ Department of Finance and Ministry of Commerce of China.