The Philippine government is pushing to secure funding from China for the construction of a bridge connecting Panglao Island and the mainland Bohol Province through Tagbilaran City.
Emil Sadain, undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office (UPMO), said any funding from the Chinese government will be of big help in the realization of the project, especially that they have already secured a go signal to pursue the construction of the bridge from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
“We are looking forward at the approval of official development assistance through a grant from China for the proposed Panglao-Tagbilaran City Offshore Bridge Connector (PTCOBC) Project," said Sadain.
As early as year 2020, the ₱6.955 Billion project was confirmed by the Department of Finance (DOF) to be under China grant by the Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy during the preparatory meeting for the Philippines-China High Level Meeting.
The bridge is planned to have four lanes and 2.7 kilometer long. It will connect mainland Bohol to the island municipalities of Dauis and Panglao.
He said the project is important since Bohol is among the top drawer of tourism in the Philippines.
"Travellers looking forward to adventure-filled vacation is expected to benefit from this new bridge as it will cut travel time from Tagbilaran City seaport to Panglao Island to 15 minutes from 45 minutes during peak period and will serve as an alternative route of the Jacinto Borja Bridge and Ambassador Suarez Bridge," said Sadain.