Davao, Philippines, 27 Oct (Xinhua) -- The groundbreaking ceremony of the Davao-Samar Island Bridge, a Philippine cross-sea bridge project undertaken by Chinese enterprises, was held in Davao, the third largest city in the Philippines, on the morning of 27 October. Philippine President Marcos thanked China for its support in infrastructure construction at the ceremony, and looked forward to further deepening cooperation and consolidating friendly relations between the two countries.
Philippine President Marcos speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Davao-Samar Island Bridge in Davao, Philippines, October 27. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Umaly)
Marcos said that the Davao-Samar Island Bridge is a major testimony to the solid foundation and continuous consolidation of Philippine-Chinese relations and cooperation, and will further revitalize the economic resources and tourism potential of Davao and Samar Island after completion. The project construction will also create jobs, help the local post-epidemic recovery and people's livelihood development, and drive the economic growth of southern Philippines.
Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said that the start of construction of the Davao-Samar Island Bridge marks another progress in China-Philippines government-to-government cooperation. After the completion of the bridge, it will promote the sustainable development of the Davao region and inject strong impetus into the cooperation between China and the Philippines in the new era. China is willing to work with the Philippines to continue to deepen exchanges and cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure construction, energy and humanities, so as to bring more tangible benefits to the people of the two countries.
On October 27, in Davao, Philippines, a model of the Davao-Samar Island Bridge was unveiled at its groundbreaking ceremony. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Umaly)
The Davao-Samar Island Bridge project is one of the flagship projects of the Philippine government's "Build More and Build Well" plan, which is financed by the Chinese government and built by China Road and Bridge Corporation, and is expected to be completed and put into use in 2027. The planned total length of about 3.81 kilometers, the two-way four-lane design will cross the Bakiputan Strait after completion, greatly shortening the travel time between Davao City and Samar Island, and changing the situation that only ferries can travel between the two places.
Philippine President Marcos (left) and Philippine Secretary of Public Works and Highways Manuel Bonoan plant a time capsule at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Davao-Samar Island Bridge in Davao, Philippines, October 27. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Umaly)
Philippine President Marcos (center), Philippine Vice President Sarah Duterte (second from left), Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian (first from left), Philippine Secretary of Public Works and Highways Manuel Bonoan (second from right), and Davao Mayor Sebastian Duterte (first from right) plant a time capsule at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Davao-Samar Island Bridge. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Umaly)
Source: Xinhuanet