LOAN AGREEMENT. Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan (center) meets with representatives of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other stakeholders to discuss crucial preparations for the loan agreement for the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge project, during the two-week discussion from June 16 to July 5, 2023. The DPWH said it seeks to secure a loan approval by November. (Photo courtesy of DPWH)
MANILA – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said Thursday it aims to secure the loan approval for the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge (BCIB) project by November.
In a statement, the DPWH cited the end of its two-week discussion with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) fact-finding mission.
"ADB, together with Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), has earlier committed to co-finance the civil works construction of the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Project targeted to start by 2024," it said.
The discussions from June 16 to July 5 paved the way for the overall preparation of stakeholders before the launch of the BCIB project loan agreement.
"The meetings were participated by the Detailed Engineering Design (DED) consultant TY Lin International, Ltd. in joint venture with Pyungwha Engineering & Consulting Co., Ltd. hired by the government for preparation of the project," the DPWH added.
Under the PHP175.6 billion BCIB project, a four-lane 32.15-km. bridge shall be established from Barangay Alas-asin in Mariveles, Bataan to Barangay Timalan Concepcion in Naic, Cavite.
It is expected to reduce the travel time between the two provinces to 45 minutes, way faster than the current five-and-a-half hours’ travel time.
However, the BCIB shall be divided into seven contract packages – the 5-km. Bataan Land approach, the 1.35-km. Cavite Land approach, the 20.65-km.-long North and South marine viaducts, the 2.15-km. North Channel Bridge, the 3.15-km. South Channel Bridge, and the project-wide ancillary works for the seventh package.
The DPWH said the initial project construction is targeted for the first quarter of 2024, with its completion projected until mid-2028.
The BCIB project is considered a part of the administration's "Build Better More" program.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. earlier expressed his optimism on the magnitude of benefits that the BCIB project can provide for Filipinos.
He noted that with the completion of the interlink bridge, the prices of commodities and other services could drop with the expected decline in transportation costs.
On March 31, Marcos led the ceremony for the BCIB's DED at the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific in Mariveles, Bataan.
The DED helped the government consider and resolve technical challenges, including "severe seismic loads, wind speeds, need for navigation channels for large cargo vessels, seabed depth for caisson foundation, and effects of climate change." (PNA)
