Philippines secures P8.8 billion loan for new Metro Manila bridges

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has secured a $175-million (P8.8 billion) loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the Metro Manila bridges project expected to ease traffic woes in the capital.

The Manila-based multilateral lender yesterday approved the fresh funding for the construction of three new bridges that are climate and disaster resilient.

The Marcos Highway-St. Mary Avenue Bridge, Homeowner’s Drive-A. Bonifacio Bridge, and Kabayani Street-Matandang Balara Bridge totals to 3,024 meters over the Marikina River.

The project is seen to improve road traffic flow amid the rapid urbanization of Metro Manila. ADB said it would also help improve the ability of the Department of Public Works and Highways to manage, operate, and maintain the country’s roads and bridges.

This is part of the flagship Build Build Build program and the government’s integrated transport strategy to decongest Metro Manila and promote development in the regions.

“The project is ADB’s first focused on bridge construction in the Philippines and will help in the country’s economic recovery from the pandemic by creating jobs, improving the living conditions of residents near the river, and providing them with better access to the rest of Metro Manila,” said ADB transport specialist for Southeast Asia Chaorin Shim.

The bridge designs include climate and disaster-resilient features to reduce flood risks and absorb shocks from strong earthquakes. The bridges will connect to Metro Manila’s major arterial and other trunk roads.

ADB said the project meets international safety standards for access to all pedestrians, including people with disabilities, children, older people, and women.

The project is also aligned with ADB’s 2018–2023 country partnership strategy for the Philippines, which prioritizes support for the country’s infrastructure investments, among others.

The Metro Manila bridges project forms part of the expected $15 billion mass transport and road systems loan from ADB until 2023.

ADB’s current investments in the country’s big-ticket infrastructure projects include the Malolos Clark Railway Project, EDSA Greenways Project and the Angat Water Transmission Improvement Project.