The officials in Davao City and the region expressed optimism on the visit of Chinese 3rd Vice Premier Wang Yang, saying it will result to the implementation of several infrastructure projects that will be funded by the Chinese government.
Director Maria Lourdes Lim of the National Economic and Development Authority in Davao region said that they have seen light when they presented to Wang the five development project for Davao City, including the Mindanao Railway Project.
The presentation was facilitated Saturday, March 18.
Lim said that Wang asked several questions indicating his interest to invest on the development projects for the city, however, there were no further details disclosed about the specific project that the Chinese government will invest.
Among the five projects presented include the 23.3 km. Davao City Expressway Project that will cost P 24.5 billion; the P34.5 billion Davao City Coastal Road; the P38.95 billion Davao Coastline and Port Development Project; the 31.3 billion Mindanao Railway Project; and the P40.57 billion Development, Operations and Maintenance of Davao Airport.
Lim said that among the five projects, only the Davao Coastal Road has an initial lay out and will be having an initial P2 billion budget to be released this year intended for the road right of ways.
“We are hoping that this will turn out positive, he (Wang) expressed interest on the projects that we have presented,” she said.
She added that the Japanese government also showed interest in investing on the Mindanao Railway Project.
Meanwhile, Lim said that they have already approved the Davao Airport Development Project and is in its way to pursuance once a private partner will invest on the project.
Davao Airport Asst. Manager Engr. Hector Nabua expressed optimism that the project will be pushed through anytime soon.
On Friday this week, March 24, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua will visit the Davao City to follow up on the proposed projects that the Chinese government might invest.
Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang who represented Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said that a fact finding team will also be sent in Davao City in a couple of weeks to look further on the proposed projects of the city government.
“After the visit of the Ambassador, the Chinese government will also send fact finding team to further study in those proposed projects,” Dayanghirang said.
Aside from the development projects that the city has presented to Wang, the Chinese Vice Premier also brought with him about $6 billion in deals that will include the agreement for agriculture exports to China.
Wang is the highest Chinese government official who visited the hometown of President Duterte since he took office last year.
Wang’s visit also opened several economic and investment projects as the Philippine and China’s relationship continuous to bloom since Duterte reestablished the tie with the latter country.
On May this year, Duterte is expected to visit Beijing and discuss the proposed development projects in the city and Mindanao.
