India has its eyes set on joining the “Build Build Build” program under the Duterte administration. Top Indian companies such as Adani Infrastructure, GMR Group, Larsen and Toubro Limited, IRCON International Limited, Rail India Technical and Economic Service and Shapoorji Pallonji Infrastructure Capital Company are ready to present their investment capabilities and interests at an online forum this week.Jointly organised by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the country’s largest business organization, and the New Delhi-based Chamber of India Industries, the online forum which will be held on February 18, 2020, will be spearheaded by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade. According to the PCCI, projects in the transport sector will highlight the event. Indian ambassador to Manila Shambhu Kumaran and Philippine Ambassador Ramon Bagatsing Jr. will also present opportunities for both countries.The Philippines and India both have a long-standing relationship, which was established in 1949.

To discuss activity progress and other action plans under the JICA portfolio, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has conducted a review meeting.In his report to Secretary Mark A. Villar, Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations Emil K. Sadain said that this meeting provided both parties to assess infrastructure projects under the Build Build Build program of the Duterte administration. Meanwhile, Secretary Villar expressed his appreciation to the government of Japan for its assistance to the country - either through loan agreement or grant. In December 2020, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa has assured to continue the robust relationship between the two countries. At the meeting, Undersecretary Sadain presented the overall progress of the 13 Japan-assisted high impact infrastructure projects namely: Arterial (Plaridel) Road Bypass Project Phase 3; Central Luzon Link Expressway; Programme for the Support to Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Marawi City and Its Surrounding Areas; Flood Risk Management Project for Cagayan De Oro River; Flood Risk Management Project for Cagayan River, Tagoloan River and Imus River; Davao City Bypass Construction Project; Metro Manila Priority Bridges Seismic Improvement Project; Road Network Development Project in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao; Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project Phase 4; Cavite Industrial Area Flood Management Project; Cebu-Mactan Bridge (4th) and Coastal Road Construction Project; Dalton Pass East Alignment Road Project; and Parañaque Spillway/Tunnel Project. Because of these projects, governments can provide jobs and many opportunities in the Philippines. The portfolio review meeting held at JICA Philippines Office in Makati City was also attended by officers and staff from UPMO Roads Management Cluster 1 headed by Project Director Virgilio Castillo, Flood Control Management Cluster headed by Project Director Ramon Ariola, and Bridges Management Cluster headed by Project Director Rodrigo Delos Reyes who are all involved in the management of JICA-assisted projects.

The two main bridge pylons of the 8.5-kilometre Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) are already finished. According to the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway Corp. (CCLEC), “We finished over the weekend the concreting of the pylon on the side of Cebu City.”The firm said that Tower 1 has reached its final height at 145 meters, meaning that the two pylons are already complete. The firm has also started installing the cross on top of the pylons of the CCLEX’s main bridge. Last month, the firm has also finished the construction of Tower 2 on the side of the Cordova town. Senior Research Manager at Colliers Philippines said the 3rd bridge - set to be finished later this year - will further boost the economic growth of the city. Once finished, this bridge will connect Cebu City to Mactan Island through Cordova and will also ease traffic. A subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, CCLEC is undertaking the bridge project under a joint venture agreement with Cebu City and Cordova, a municipality to the south of Mactan.

As long as it addresses its lack of infrastructure and long-term projections, the Philippines may be the world’s 18th biggest economy by 2050.In a report by the London-based Capital Economics, the nominal gross domestic product of the country may rise up to $4.862 trillion three decades from now with the nominal GDP per capita rising to $33,650. Because of the low 2019 base, Capital Economics has projected the GDP to rise by 11 per cent this year and the next.In terms of nominal GDP at market exchange rates, the latest prediction showed that the Philippines in 2050 may just fall behind the United States, China, India, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Canada, South Korea, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan. Capital Economics expects the yearly expansion of the Philippines at an average of 7.9 per cent in 2021-2025; 5.3 per cent in 2026-2030, and 4.4 per cent in 2031-2050.The firm also noted that with inflation being steady, in 2021-2025, it is with an average of 2.9 per cent and in 2026-2050, 3 per cent. As for headline inflation, an average of 4.9 per cent in 2006-2010, 3 per cent in 2011-2015, and 2.9 per cent in 2016-2020. As for the projectivity in the economy, 5.9 per cent growth in 2021-2025; 3.6 per cent in 2026-2030; and 3.3 per cent in 2031-2050.The increasing population can also boost the economy - a domestic consumer and labour market to reach 117 million by 2025, 124 million by 2030, and 144 million by 2050.In the ASEAN region, with the Philippines may be overtaking Thailand’s nominal GDP, neighbouring countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam may overtake the Philippines. The nominal GDP of Indonesia may rise from 16 to 7 by 2050. Meanwhile, Vietnam may surpass Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines as the economy would jump from 35 to 14 in 2050; Malaysia ranks 26th in 2050; Thailand, 31st; Singapore, 40th. On a nominal GDP per capita basis, Singapore may be the biggest in ASEAN by 2050 at $233,663 per person. By the middle of the century, in Indonesia, $36,314; in Vietnam, $56,048; Malaysia, $67,460; and Thailand, $36,011—all higher than in the Philippines.According to Capital Economics chief Asia economist Mark Williams, Bangladesh, India and Vietnam would benefit from manufacturing and export-led growth in the long term. India’s GDP may rank third in 2050 while Bangladesh would be at 20th. In the case of the Philippines, Capital Economics senior Asia economist Gareth Leather said that low costs and improving the business environment in the country might help the country become a manufacturing powerhouse over the next decade.

After cancelling an earlier deal with MacroAsia Corp. and China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), the province of Cavite is again inviting firms to bid for the Sangley International airport project. The local government said that the distribution of the project feasibility study - including updates and schedules, draft joint venture and development agreement, instructions to candidate joint venture partners - will be available for distribution for the whole month of March.However, before parties could obtain copies of these bid documents, they must be able to submit an intent letter, sign the nondisclosure agreement, and pay the non-refundable fee of $20,000 (P1 Million).Among the responsibilities of the partners include debt financing, providing the necessary equity investment, credit enhancement, and securing and performing procurement, engineering, and construction services for the land and airport development aspects of the 1,500-hectare project. The deadline for submission of proposal is on May 4, 2021.“Under the terms of the project’s no-objection clearance from the Department of Transportation, no sovereign loan or National Government guarantee will be granted,” it said.Cavite’s Public-Private Partnership Selection Committee Legal Officer Jesse R. Grepo said, “As of now, we haven’t received any formal inquiries yet.” He said that there were some who expressed their intent but haven’t submitted bids yet. “I can’t assume if the same are still interested now,” he added.In 2019, MacroAsia-CCCC tandem submitted a proposal. Other groups that bid documents include Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC); Prime Asset Ventures, Inc.; Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions, Inc.; Langham Properties, Inc.; and Mosveldtt Law Offices.“If still interested, previously registered entities that bought the request for proposals (bid documents) during the first competitive selection process launched in October 2019 would have to submit a new written expression of intent, update their registration details, and pay the renewal fee of P25,000 or $500,” the Cavite provincial government said.Meanwhile, Cavite Governor Juanito Victor “Jonvic” C. Remulla, Jr. said the “various deficiencies in the submission of requirements to conclude the joint venture agreement” led to the cancellation of the deal.

If Indonesia maintains its nickel export ban, the demand for Philippine nickel ore in China will remain high. According to Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) Vice-President for Communications Rocky G. Dimaculangan, “As long as Indonesia keeps its nickel export ban, demand for Philippine nickel ore from China’s NPI (nickel pig iron) plants will remain strong.”Last year, Indonesia banned nickel ore exports to develop a domestic-processing industry. This would allow the country to capture more added value from ore - instead of exporting the ore to be processed in China.Since April 2020, S&P Global Market Intelligence said that China had grown more dependent on the Philippines to supply nickel in the absence of Indonesia. Dimaculangan said that the main driver of the cost of nickel will be electric vehicles. He said, “Given the growing demand for nickel from the electric vehicle market, LME nickel prices (are) expected to remain strong.” COMP said that it expects the prices of gold to “remain close to or even above 2020 levels”.He added, “We anticipate central banks and governments to sustain their high monetary and deficit-spending stimulus programs even as economies slowly recover from the COVID pandemic following the worldwide vaccinations.”

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) recently unveiled to the public two new ramps of the newly-operational 18-kilometre Skyway Stage 3. This is to improve and ease traffic along the major thoroughfares in Metro Manila, providing ease of travel.SMC President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon S. Ang announced the opening of the A. Bonifacio northbound off-ramp and the E. Rodriguez southbound off-ramp. “Our Skyway 3 engineers and construction personnel worked double time to be able to open these two new ramps, better serve motorists, and provide them seamless and convenient travel,” Ang said. “With the opening of these ramps, those who are coming from Alabang, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Pasay, or Makati will no longer have to take Edsa and get stuck in several traffic chokepoints in order to get to Balintawak. Meanwhile, those coming from NLEX headed to Quezon City, on the other hand, can opt to take Skyway 3 to get to E. Rodriguez Avenue.”Ang said that contractors are continuously working to open other access ramps. This has been delayed because of issues with the right-of-way. “Despite delays, we’re excited for the next access points to be opened soon,” he said. According to him, the next to open are the following: Quirino Entry, the Nagtahan Entry, Nagtahan Exit, E. Rodriguez Entry, and C3 Exit; and for southbound, the C3 Entry, C3 Exit, A. Bonifacio Entry, Plaza Dilao Exit, and Nagtahan Exit.“Once all of these access points are opened, traffic in many parts of Metro Manila, especially major thoroughfares, will be virtually a thing of the past. People will be able to get from one place to another within the city much faster and easier, without the stress. And because of this, our main thoroughfares and city streets will also be decongested, making travel for those not using the expressway better as well,” he added.Ang highlighted the significance of easing traffic for the people in light of this pandemic. He said, “For us in San Miguel, now is really the time to double-up our efforts and continue all our major investments to help alleviate the country’s congestion problems, to keep people working, and, in completing these infrastructure projects, prepare our country for economic recovery and further growth.”Skyway Stage 3, which opened last January 14, is expected to ease traffic along EDSA because it can bypass this major highway and commuters can now enjoy travel time from Buendia in Makati to Balintawak in just 20 minutes, and Balintawak to Alabang in just 30 minutes. Among the newly-opened ramps include Northbound-Buendia (Zobel) Entry, Quezon Avenue Entry, Quirino Avenue Exit, Quezon Avenue Exit, A. Bonifacio Exit and Balintawak Exit; and Southbound -- Balintawak Entry, Quezon Avenue Entry, Plaza Dilao Entry, Quezon Avenue Exit, E. Rodriguez Exit, and Buendia (Zobel) Exit.

As demands from the foreign market are expected to improve this year in spite of the threats of the pandemic, the nickel industry may see a robust year in 2021.According to Philippine Nickel Industry Association President Dante R. Bravo, the consumption of the nickel would continue because of the demands from other sectors such as appliance equipment and infrastructure. “The mining industry has kept employing 190,000 people in the entire country and this is very important, especially that the Philippine government is trying to implement economic recovery efforts from the impact of the pandemic,” he said.Because of the strict quarantine measures, the production of nickel had a 14% drop last year - 18.5 million dry metric tons (DMT) - as compared with the 21.6 million DMT output the year earlier. In spite of this decrease, however, the group said that the export value of the nickel improved to almost P25 billion in the January-September period, as compared with P24 billion in the same period in 2019. This is due to the demands from China, said Bravo. In the year 2020, Bravo said that the contribution of the association members amounted to almost 50% of the nickel production - which produced a total of 7.9 million DMT with an export value of P11.6 billion, based on the data of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau. “The industry is grateful that we were able to perform well despite the pandemic and that we were able to contribute to the economy during these trying times,” he said. “We’re all aware that a large number of businesses closed down in 2020 and some are closing down this year.”Furthermore, he said that the group spent P166.8 million for the development management program in the Caraga region, Zambales, and Palawan. He said that P49 million was allotted for the recovery efforts - providing food and medicines, medical assistance to the communities and other neighbouring local government units.“Some of these efforts included the build-up of isolation rooms and testing centres, provision for an ambulance, transportation, the supplemental supply of thermal scanners, test kits and personal protective equipment to local hospitals as well as provision of food packs, facemasks and hygiene kits to local health workers and frontliners,” he said.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoU) for the loan application of the construction of three bridges in Marikina City. Estimated to cost more than P9 billion in total, two of the bridges will be located in Marikina City: the J.P. Rizal–Lopez Jaena Bridge and the Marcos Highway–St. Mary Bridge (formerly J.P. Rizal–St. Mary Bridge). Meanwhile, the third will link Marikina City with Quezon City: Kabayani–Katipunan Avenue Extension Bridge (Marikina–Vista Real Bridge. With a length of 687 metres with a 460-metre main bridge, the J.P. Rizal–Lopez Jaena Bridge will cost P1.61 billion. While the Marcos Highway–St. Mary Bridge spanning 1,477 metres with a 330-metre main bridge will cost P5,74 billion, the Kabayani–Katipunan Avenue Extension Bridge will be priced at P1.81 billion. The latter has a total length of 940 metres with a 485-metre main bridge. According to the DPWH, the Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Bridge Management Cluster and consulting firm Dasan JV are now working on the engineering designs of these bridges. DPWH also remarked that the local government units are fully supportive of these initiatives.

The service for passengers of the Metro Manila Subway will begin by 2025.According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the base fare may start at P22 with an additional P2 per kilometre depending on the distance. Transportation Undersecretary Timothy Batan said that some facilities of the subway may operate by the end of the year. "We will have some of our key facilities operational by the end of 2021. So, that's going to include East Valenzuela station, the Philippine Railways Institute, the depot for the subway," he said. "So, that's what we will be seeing by the end of the year but full operations and regular passenger service will begin by 2025."As for the base fare, Batan said, “That's the fare that we projected, and based on our earlier study, this is going to be sufficient to cover operating cost.”Batan also dispelled concerns that the construction of the project - priced at P350 billion - would cause more traffic. "One of the advantages here is aside from being faster than your usual reconditional methods, it will have less interference in the traffic above ground," he said, talking about the tunnel boring machine. "It's going to adapt Japanese technology because that's one of the conditions in our loan agreement with Japan. So, our designers, general consultants [and] contractors are all going to be Japanese for the subway," he added.Last week, the DOTr unveiled a part of the tunnel boring machine.The Metro Manila subway project is the first of its kind. This runs from Valenzuela City to Bicutan, Paranaque and the NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City.

In bridging a planned budget deficit and funding priority projects in 2021, the Philippines aims to raise $23.71 billion from external sources.According to the Department of Finance (DOF), this budget was 39% higher than the government raised last year. The DOF added that for allocation, $8.06 billion will go to the budget support purposes, while the rest to finance projects. The budget for this year of 4.5 trillion pesos ($93.7 billion) will be used for economic recovery and for the purchase of millions of doses of vaccines. The government has targeted a full-year growth of 6.5%-7.5% for the economy, which contracted by a record of 9.5% in 2020. In addition, the government this year hopes to secure $7.67 billion in grants and loans from multilateral institutions, $5.5 billion from the debt markets, and $10.54 billion from bilateral sources.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has revealed its runway construction projects that could help provide better mass transportation. The DOTr said, “We acknowledge this demand by the public, and it is in fulfilling this desire that the DOTr has been implementing projects geared towards providing commuters with access to faster, reliable, safe, and efficient means of mass transportation.”These projects are the following: the Metro Manila Subway, the Light Rail Transit 1 Extension; the Light Rail Transit Line 2 East Extension; the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark Phase 1; the Common Station expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2021; the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7); and the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) rehabilitation.“We have also pushed for the acquisition of new train sets for the MRT-3, LRT-1, and PNR lines to increase their respective capacities, among others,” the DOTr said.Light rail vehicles have already arrived for the LRT-1 Cavite Extension. “Through these, the DOTr is putting in place mass public transportation as the principal means for mobility to reduce dependence on private vehicles,” the DOTr said.For its Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program (PUVMP), DOTr said, “We are gearing towards a public transport that has clean energy-powered public buses, particularly high-capacity electric-powered vehicles, to move people while using fewer vehicles.”Aside from transportation projects, other projects include infrastructure projects designed for walking and cycling such as the expansion of bicycle lanes in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao. “Around 29 kilometres of bike lanes were already established to date. Before the year ends, we intend to add 140 kilometres of bike lanes to the country’s expanding bike lane network,” the DOTr said.Among these projects include the EDSA Greenways Project. “It aims to serve 1.1 million pedestrians daily in 2023 and 1.2 million/day in 2051. Target partial operations of the project are by December 2021 and full operations by February 2023,” the DOTr said.Outside Metro Manila, there are the segments of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (Cebu BRT) , and the Davao Public Transportation Modernization Project. “The Cebu BRT’s Package 1, which covers the 2.6-kilometre busway, with four (4) stations, urban realm enhancement, and vital intersection improvements, is already at the procurement stage,” the DOTr said. “We are likewise targeting its partial operations this year as the parcellary works are currently ongoing following the awarding of its contract.”

The construction of a bridge that links Intramuros and Binondo is expected to be finished within 2021. According to the Chinese Embassy in Manila, "The main bridge of the project is so far 90 per cent completed and is expected to open within this year. By then, it will serve over 30,000 vehicles per day and substantially relieve the traffic congestion along the river.”For Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, the bridge serves as an iconic landmark. “By September 2021, this attractive design of the arch bridge that symbolizes the friendly cooperation between China and the Philippines will become a new iconic landscape connecting the Binondo and Intramuros districts of Manila,” he said.With a total cost of P3.39 billion, the Chinese-funded bridge has put in many advanced construction methods and involves the construction of a four-lane, basket-handled tied steel arch bridge. The bridge will have a total length of 680 lineal metres, designed with the new seismic specifications and takes into consideration the effects of climate change. Meanwhile, the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge that links Mandaluyong City and Makati City is now 79% complete and is expected to open in the first half of 2021.According to Citing Huang, the projects between Manila and Beijing have entered into a new phase of implementation. "With the joint efforts of both sides, 11 projects have been completed and 12 projects are being implemented or are about to be implemented," it said.

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The Philippine government and Australian-Canadian miner OceanaGold Corporation (OceanaGold) are now finalising the terms of their Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA).This is for the continuation of the operations of the Didipio gold and copper mine in Nueva Vizcaya. In a regulatory filing with the Toronto Stock Exchange and Australian Securities Exchange, OceanaGold said that it had several meetings with the Philippine government to finalise this agreement. “The Company will continue to engage with government officials and will work with stakeholders for a safe restart of operations at Didipio,” OceanaGold said. “The timeline for the renewal remains uncertain and achieving steady-state production will be dependent on the timing of the renewal and workforce recruitment efforts.”The request has been forward to the Office of the President for more than a year already, but in December last year, the government resumed these negotiations. “We expect the renewal will be returned to the Office of the President for review and approval in the near-term,” Michael Holmes, president and CEO of OceanaGold, said. “We look forward to working with stakeholders and Government officials to safely restart operations and continue the significant socio-economic benefits when the renewal has been approved. OceanaGold is a responsible gold mining Company that is focused on operating to the highest social and environmental international standards and considers Didipio the template for responsible mining globally.”In October last year, more than 496 employees were laid off and an estimated 400 people were affected too.