Good news for travelers and commuters! The Department of Public Works and Highways announced last March 14, 2023, that the construction of the Bataan – Cavite Interlink Bridge Project will begin by the latter part of 2023, earlier than the initial target date of 1st quarter of 2024.
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan stated the following in a Palace press briefing:
“We intend to start construction towards the latter part of this year ‘siguro’. If we are able to procure the civil works then it will take maybe about anywhere between five years… We’ll try to have this completed before the term of the President ends.”
The cable-stayed, four-lane Bataan – Cavite Interlink Bridge Project spans a length of 32 kilometers and will be built across Manila Bay, connecting Bataan and Cavite.
The starting point of the bridge will be in Barangay Alas-asin in Mariveles, Bataan, through Manila Bay, and ends in Naic, Cavite.
This is not the first time a bridge crossing Manila Bay has been proposed. The first proposal was made by then-Representative Felicito Payumo in 1987. By the early 2000s, Payumo attempted to realize the plan with the help of 2 Japanese firms, Itochu Corp. and NKK, but was never realized.
In 2016, Payumo once again revived the program, pitching that the project would decongest traffic in Metro Manila. The following year, China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) visited coastal towns in Bataan to conduct an onsite study to prepare for possible construction.
As part of the Build, Build, Build program of the Duterte Administration, The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) approved the project in early 2020 with a budget of P175.7 billion.
In October 2020, the DPWH signed a $59 million engineering contract awarded to T. Y. Lin International (US) and Pyunghwa Engineering Consultants Ltd. (South Korea), which is working in tandem with Renardet S.A. (Switzerland) and DCCD Engineering Corporation (Philippines).
Regarding the current status of the project, DPWH Secretary Bonoan stated that the detailed engineering design of the project is about 70% complete.
The planned 5-year construction of the bridge will cost about P1757.loans extended by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will fund 7 billion.
What are the Economic Benefits of the Bataan—Cavite Interlink Bridge?
This project bridges gaps in transportation and logistics in the country, which will drive great economic benefits for the country. Here are # ways the Bataan – Cavite Interlink Bridge help the economy:
• Reduced travel time. From five hours, travel time from Bataan and Cavite will be reduced to 20-30 minutes. The fast travel time speeds up the travel of people and goods, which will lead to reduced logistical costs.
• Decongestion of Metro Manila roads. Metro Manila is notorious for its extremely congested roads. Having a bridge connecting Regions 3 and 4A will allow travelers from the north to bypass Metro Manila roads when going to the south and vice versa. Having a more direct north-south road will decongest Metro Manila roads, NLEX, and SLEX. Thus allowing faster travel within the National Capital Region.
• Boosts regional economies. Having better inter-regional access will help boost the regional economies of regions 3 and 4A. With the increased connectivity, local businesses in both regions can see significant business expansions and growth. This will, in turn, generate more revenue for LGUs in both regions.
• Opens new jobs. With more opportunities for business expansion comes more job openings. With more job openings in their home regions, people will no longer have to move to Metro Manila to seek opportunities. This will also help in the decongestion of Metro Manila.
Overall, the ADB foresees that there will be a 25% economic rate of return from the Bataan – Cavite bridge project.
References:
- Atienza, K. A. (2023, March 14). Work on Bataan-Cavite bridge set to start this year. BusinessWorld Online. https://www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/2023/03/15/510611/work-on-bataan-cavite-bridge-set-to-start-this-year/
- Parrocha, A. (2023, March 14). Bataan-Cavite bridge construction to start late this year – DPWH. Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1197321
- Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Project, Manila Bay, Philippines. (2021, January 6). Verdict Traffic. https://www.roadtraffic-technology.com/projects/bataan-cavite-interlink-bridge-project-manila-bay/
- Peralta-Malonzo, T. A. (2023b, March 15). Construction of Cavite-Bataan interlink bridge to start by year end. SUNSTAR. https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1956104/manila/local-news/construction-of-cavite-bataan-interlink-bridge-to-start-by-year-end
