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PHILIPPINES
from MAPPING PATHWAYS: Towards a Holistic Model for Inclusive and Resilient Linear Infrastructure
by WWF-Myanmar
The Philippines’ national strategy plans called “AmBisyon Natin 2040” and “Build! Build! Build! (BBB)” aim at better connecting the Philippine islands and developing economic hubs outside of Luzon Island. The AmBisyon Natin 2040 is a twenty-five-year, long-term vision developed under the previous presidency and adopted by President Duterte’s administration. The overall objective is to eradicate poverty and make the Philippines a middle-class society by 2040.
Like the BRI, the Philippines’ national development strategy has a strong infrastructure dimension, and there is ample room for cooperation between the BRI and the BBB program. The former president of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal Arroyo strongly supported the initial launch of the BRI.136 The development of new infrastructure under the BBB will facilitate the growth of exports while improving access to many islands and opening new destinations for Chinese tourists.
In early 2021, China and the Philippines agreed to cooperate on infrastructure for the next ten years; this cooperation will very likely be accommodated within the framework of the BRI.137
BBB was launched to accelerate the implementation of AmBisyon Natin 2040 and to solve the prolonged problem of infrastructure deficit in the Philippines. Approximately $140 billion was allocated for more than 20,000 infrastructure projects between 2017-2023.138
Some of the major projects include the Bulacan International Airport near Manila, which was started in October 2020, the Mindanao Railway and the long-anticipated Manila subway. These projects will be financed through a combination of ODA, public-private partnerships, and private and public-sector investment. Some projects will also be financed through loans or assistance from PRC, such as the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge (inaugurated in April 2022) funded under the auspices of the China Aid Bridges Project.139
136 Dr. Sebastien Goulard. China’s BRI in some ASEAN countries (4/4): The Philippines’ BBB. One Belt One Road Europe (OBOReurope) https://www.oboreurope.com/en/chinas-bri-asean-philippines-ambisyon/
137 Alexis Romero. Philippines, China agree on 10-year cooperation on infrastructure. Philstar.com. November 27, 2018 https://www.philstar.com/ headlines/2018/11/27/1872201/philippines-china-agree-10-year-cooperation-infrastructure
138 Dr. Sebastien Goulard. China’s BRI in some ASEAN countries (4/4): The Philippines’ BBB. One Belt One Road Europe (OBOReurope) https://www.oboreurope.com/en/chinas-bri-asean-philippines-ambisyon/
139 Ibid