The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Jonathan P. Gesmundo
Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista and Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian met August 11 at the Chinese Embassy in Makati City – their recent first official meeting – and agreed to restart negotiations for major transport projects.
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).
Also tackled 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 news was met with both approval and bashing from netizens. Some prefer that the government negotiate with Japan instead of China. Recent news said China’s interest rates were higher than Japan’s. But bashers refuse to remember the directive of Pres. Bongbong during his SONA to expedite the renegotiation for the China-funded rail projects.
The Chinese embassy in a corresponding statement said “Delighted to meet with Secretary Bautista and his energetic working team. We had a constructive discussion about China-Philippines infrastructure cooperation, in particular railway cooperation.”
The Chinese embassy added in its Facebook post, “China is a powerhouse in railway sector. In 2022, China’s high-speed railway operation mileage has exceeded 40,000km, accounting for over 70% of the world total.
China is also devoted to promoting the connectivity of the Southeast Asian countries by sharing its experience and introducing the cut-edging technology of railway construction and rolling stock manufacturing. The first modern railway line in Laos PRD, China-Laos Railway funded by China has been completed and fully operational. The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Indonesia, the first high-speed railway in Southeast Asia and a successful practice of applying Chinese construction and operation standards, is expected to serve Indonesians in 2023.”
The expertise of China in railways is not that well-known among Filipinos. But media distortions tag China as a usurer instead of advocate of technology-transfer.
The President believes railway is the cheapest mass transport system that should be developed. The momentum only needs a push. MRT3 and LRT1 will soon get connected. LRT1 extension to Cavite is in full swing. The PNR Clark to Tutuban is on schedule with a train depot under construction in Malanday, Bulacan. This is part of the massive North-South Commuter Railway that stretches from Clark to Laguna.
That’s just rails. The Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. has an equally impressive road infrastructure story to tell. Of course, Manny Pangilinan’s business rival, Ramon Ang, will not get left behind in infrastructure projects. It’s a virtual race going on for years already.