H.E. Atty. Arthur P. Tugade, Secretary, Department of Transportation, the Philippines: “Build, Build, Build” Program Welcoming Chinese Enterprises

（Written by Huang Yunyun / Translated by Chen Zhiying）In recent years, under the background of the continuous improvement of China-Philippine relations, the cooperation in infrastructure construction between the two countries has also made many breakthroughs, especially in port cooperation. On the eve of the 11th Pan-Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation Forum & 2020 Beibu Gulf International Gateway Port Cooperation Summit, China-ASEAN Panorama Magazine Agency interviewed Arthur P. Tugade, Secretary of Department of Transportation of the Philippines, on the construction of Philippine ports and port cooperation between the two countries.

“Build, Build, Build” program sets off the wave of infrastructure construction

“I am sure everyone is clear that transportation remains a challenge for our country. You see, it is a challenge to connect an archipelagic nation with 7,641 islands, let alone the nation with backward infrastructure,” said H.E. Arthur P. Tugade.

In the past, transport infrastructure has been a major constraint to the economic development of the Philippines. According to the Department of Transportion of the Philippines, the country lost US$ 24 billion in 2014 due to poor transportation infrastructure. To solve this problem, Philippine President Duterte launched a large-scale infrastructure investment program called “Build, Build, Build” in 2017, which was expected to be invested 8.4 trillion pesos in six years to carry out infrastructure construction throughout the Philippines. Based on the characteristics of multiple islands, the investment, and development of the port is an important part of the “Build, Build, Build”. Since then, the construction of this field has entered the stage of “promotion and acceleration”.

At present, the main ports in the Philippines include Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, Zamboanga, etc., and several export-oriented economic development zones have been built along with the ports. Facilities in container terminal ports are perfect and can handle freight effectively. 

Manila port and Cebu port are among the best in Asia. Manila port is 720 nautical miles away from Hong Kong, China, serving as the first commercial port in the Philippines. The nearby international airport and shipping combined together form a transportation network integrating air and water transportation. Founded in 1860, Cebu port is located in the eastern coastal area of Cebu Island in the central Philippines. It is the second largest port in the Philippines, which can accommodate 85% of the Philippines’ shipping business, with airports nearby too.

“As an archipelagic nation, the Philippines also boasts as a major maritime powerhouse. Thus, continuous port development and investments are crucial to our over-all economic progress,” said H.E. Arthur P. Tugade. In the process of promoting the “Build, Build, Build” program, in addition to the internal investment of the Philippines, foreign investment also played an important role, such as China’s investment.

China-the Philippines port cooperation achieves remarkable achievements

Infrastructure construction is an important task for the current Philippine government. Under this background, foreign investment has played a more and more active role in the infrastructure construction of the Philippines.

Among them, Caviet Container Transfer Terminal, a project under the “Build, Build, Build” program and built by Chinese enterprises opened smoothly in 2018. Serving as the transfer terminal for Manila International Container Terminal in Caviet, it will effectively alleviate the congestion and drive the local economic development.

In addition to investing in infrastructure, China has also added new routes to and from the Philippines. According to  H.E. Arthur P. Tugade, in August 2019, the direct shipping route from Guangxi Beibu Gulf Port to Manila will be officially opened. The liner can reach the north of Manila in 5 days and reach the south of Manila in 7 days. This is the first direct container liner route from Guangxi Beibu Gulf Port to the Philippines. Its opening will provide a new route and convenient service for the import and export of goods for southwest China and Manila.

According to H.E. Arthur P. Tugade, this 2020, the Philippines and China have entered into its 45th anniversary since the establishment of the two countries’ diplomatic relations. In the past 45 years, we were relentless to seek common grounds while preserving our differences. Under the leadership of our beloved President Duterte, the friendship between our countries is continuously flourishing, and has even entered into a new stage for mutual benefit and progress. With China’s unparalleled support, three big-ticket projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program will be established: the Subic-Clark Railway Project, Mindanao Railway Project, and the Philippine National Railways (PNR) South Long Haul or the PNR Bicol.

“Looking into the existing cooperation between the Philippines and China, we are keeping our hopes high to carry out deeper cooperation between our two countries for rapid and inclusive growth. To enhance the confidence of investors and increase the return of investment in the Philippines, we have created a clean, peaceful, and orderly environment for investment,” said H.E. Arthur P. Tugade. 

Source: China-ASEAN Panorama