PH, China restart talks on major transportation projects

MANILA---The Philippine and Chinese governments have restarted talks regarding the major transport projects in the country, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Sunday, August 14, 2022.

In a statement, the DOTr said Secretary Jaime Bautista and Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian agreed to restart discussion on the matter during a meeting in Makati City on August 11.

“The two officials discussed resumption of talks for the major China-funded railway projects such as the PNR South Long Haul Project (North-South Commuter Railway), Subic-Clark Railway and Mindanao Railway (Tagum-Davao-Digos),” the agency said.

Also discussed during the meeting were several China-Philippines Maritime Cooperation Projects, particularly the hotline communication and legal affairs cooperation arrangements between the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the China Coast Guard; possible collaboration on Maritime Traffic Safety, Ferry Safety; a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Maritime Search and Rescue; as well as the capacity building for maritime governance, safety supervision, and vessels safety inspection.

The agency said the Chinese government’s funding support for the said projects will strengthen bilateral relations and enhance the partnership between the two count r i es.

DOTr Undersecretary Cesar Chavez earlier said the loan applications for the three said projects -- the Subic-Clark Railway Project worth P51 billion, the Philippine National Railways (PNR) South Long-Haul Project valued at P142 billion, and the Mindanao Railway Project's Davao-Digos segment amounting to P83 billion -- were withdrawn after the Chinese government failed to act on them following the request of the former administration.

The negotiations for the projects started in 2018. The loan application was only valid until May 2022.

He said former finance secretary Carlos Dominguez III also later canceled the loan application amid the transition to the new administration. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/ SunStar Philippines)