Diokno: Infrastructure plan for 2018 includes bridges over Pasig River, new railway lines

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno on Tuesday discussed the infrastructure projects that will be taken up by the government by next year, some of which will be constructed with the aid of China and Japan.

In a television interview, Diokno said that most of allocated budget for infrastructure in 2018 will be spent on building highways, while trains will be picked up by first quarter of next year.

"We plan to construct 14 bridges along Pasig River. There will be a groundbreaking for two of them, donated by China, approximately P2 billion," he added.

Diokno said China has committed to help financially in the construction of a brand new railway line from Calamba, Laguna to Matnog, Sorsogon.

"China has originally committed $9 billion, but they have upgraded it to $20 billion not only in terms of infrastructure but also of trade," he said.

Japan, meanwhile, will fund a railway line that will travel from Tutuban in Manila to Malolos City in Bulacan and Clark in Pampanga, Diokno said.

The budget secretary said the projects are expected to be completed within the term of President Rodrigo Duterte, which ends in 2022.

"They promised to complete it, sure," Diokno said, adding that construction projects will begin by next year.

"That's part of the 800-kilometer railway system. We won't finish that, of course, but the 100 [kilometer] will be finished within President Rodrigo Duterte's term," he added. — BM, GMA News