China to fund irrigation project

MANILA, Philippines — The groundbreaking of the Chico River irrigation project funded by a concessional loan from the Chinese government was held in Kalinga on Friday.

In his remarks, Counsellor Jin Yuan of the Chinese embassy said the project is among the fruits of improved bilateral ties between the Philippines and China since President Duterte visited China in 2016.

“The Chinese side will spare no efforts to build this project and make it a symbol of China-Philippines friendship… I firmly believe that China-Philippines strategic mutual trust is bound to be much stronger and economic cooperation even closer.

China together with the Philippines will continue to steer the ship of building the 21st century Maritime Silk Road toward a brighter future,” Jin said.

The project, which is part of the Duterte administration’s  Build, Build, Build program, is worth $73 million. It involves the installation of pumps and construction of pumping station, irrigation canals and other appurtenant structures in Tuao and Piat in Cagayan and Pinukpuk in Kalinga, which is expected to be completed within three years.

It will irrigate around 8,700 hectares of agricultural land, benefit 4,350 households in 21 barangays in Kalinga and Cagayan and provide local employment.