China-funded Estrella-Pantaleon bridge completion seen in 2021

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MANILA — The Chinese Embassy in Manila on Wednesday said the construction of the China-funded Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge is expected to be completed in the “early half of 2021”.

“The Covid-19 pandemic will not push back the completion dates of the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge projects. The contractor, China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) overcomes tremendous difficulties to ensure completion on schedule,” it said in a statement sent to reporters.

Once completed, the 506-meter bridge would have four lanes connecting Estrella, Makati City to Barangka Drive in Mandaluyong City and is seen to accommodate an average of 50,000 vehicles daily.

The Embassy emphasized that the construction of the bridge is financed by a grant from the government of China.

Citing Public Works and Highways chief Mark Villar, it added that only 25 percent of the project’s workers are Chinese nationals, while 75 percent are Filipinos.

“The contractor, China Road and Bridge is still hiring more local workers for the project, though it is a bit difficult to recruit enough and qualified local employees amid under GCQ,” it said.

READ: Give China ‘leeway’ to hire workers for funded projects: Palace

The clarification comes after some lawmakers questioned the number of Chinese nationals employed for the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge and Binondo-Intramuros Bridge construction projects, appealing to prioritize Filipino nationals when hiring.

“The Chinese employees are mostly program managers, engineers, and technicians, whose job could not be done by Filipino workers given the technical requirements. All the Chinese employees have obtained work permits from the Department of Labor and Employment,” the Embassy said.

The Embassy underscored that China stands ready to “further synergize the Belt and Road Initiative and Build, Build, Build program” as well as to accelerate the implementation of cooperation projects between the two nations.

“The Philippines is a friendly close neighbor to China. Both China and the Philippines have been striving for economic development and social progress.

China stands ready to further synergize the Belt and Road Initiative and Build, Build, Build program and accelerate the implementation of cooperation projects to stimulate economic recovery and growth of the Philippines,” it said.