President Duterte thanked the Chinese government for its help in funding the 680-meter Binondo-Intramuros Bridge Project which was inaugurated on Tuesday, April 5.
”I thank and with gratitude the People’s Republic of China for the confidence and for being a partner in enhancing key infrastructure projects in our country," Duterte said in his speech.
“Ambassador Huang, the Philippines and China we do not have any quarrel. And we can talk about the Spratly Islands and probably the fishing rights of my countrymen — plain talk, nothing else," he added, referring to Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian.
The President and Ambassador Huang were both present during the inauguration of the bridge which is a joint undertaking of the Philippine government, through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the People's Republic of China.
The four-lane bridge crossing the Pasig River in the City of Manila is fully-funded through China-grant, along with the completed Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge in Makati and Mandaluyong.
"In doing so, our people are given the chance to experience economic growth and enhanced productivity. In doing so, our nations are likewise working together towards greener, more sustainable and climate change resistant infrastructure," Duterte added.
He likewise lauded the DPWH for completing another key project of the administration's "Build, Build, Build" Program amid restrictions brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Despite the unprecedented challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, you have all remained devoted to connecting people and places by completing this project," he said.
The Binondo-Intramuros Bridge is a basket-handle tied steel arch bridge that links Intramuros at Solana Street and Riverside Drive and Binondo at Rentas Street and Muelle dela Industria having a viaduct structure over Estero de Binondo.
Bike lanes with reflective thermoplastic road lines and protected sidewalks on both sides are also features of the project as part of DPWH’s program to build safe infrastructure for non-motorized road users.
The new bridge also conforms to the standard design under DPWH seismic guidelines, criteria and specifications in an effort to make it resilient in the event of large magnitude earthquakes.