PNoy thanks China for funding La Mesa Dam water project

Amid escalating tensions between Beijing and Manila over the West Philippine (South China) Sea, President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday thanked China for helping finance an important water system project.

 

“Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa pondong ipinagkaloob ng bansang Tsina upang maisakatuparan ang mahalagang proyektong ito,” he said at the inauguration of the Angat Water Utilization and Aqueduct Improvement Project Phase II in Quezon City’s La Mesa Dam.

 

The Philippines borrowed P5.2 billion for the project under the Preferential Buyer’s Credit of the China Export-Import Bank. 

 

The project was designed to improve on the system of bringing water to 15 million Filipinos in Metro Manila and the nearby provinces of Cavite and Rizal.

 

Aquino noted the importance of neighboring countries helping each other bring about prosperity.

 

“Tunay nga pong sa maigting na ugnayan ng magkakaratig-bayan, mas mabilis nating natutugunan ang mga problema at mas napaglilingkuran ang ating mamamayan,” he said.

 

The inauguration of the water project comes at a time when the Philippines and China are embroiled in escalating tensions over territorial claims the West Philippine Sea, the latest of which is the presence of 30 fishing boats in the disputed Spratly Islands.

 

Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing refused to comment on the situation over at Spratlys, where China and the Philippines have overlapping claims. 

 

“Maybe next time, when I’m prepared,” Ma said in an interview with reporters during the event at La Mesa Dam. — VS, GMA News