Rappler.com-Jan 31
China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC), a firm blacklisted by the United States in 2020, promised “more investments” in the Philippines through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), Malacañang announced on Monday, January 30. In a release to media, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with officials of the CCCC in Malacañang. The CCCC is under Beijing’s State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council. During the meeting, the Palace said, the firm proposed a 270-kilometer Laoag City, Ilocos Norte-Rosario City, La Union, highway project, as well as bringing China’s Juncao technology to the Philippines. According to the Chinese foreign ministry, Juncao means breeding fungi with herbaceous plants. The technology is touted to “address poverty, soil erosion and desertification.” The CCCC wants to create a Juncao center and industrial park. Should it push through, it will be funded through Chinese foreign aid. The CCCC is behind some major projects in the Philippines, including the Samal Island-Davao City Connector Project and the North & South Harbor Bridge. PPPs are among the Marcos administration’s offers in enticing investors into the Philippines. Marcos, said the Palace, also highlighted how the Philippines “relaxed the rules to allow foreign contractors to bring in their own professionals with the aim of encouraging technology transfer.” “President Marcos hopes the CCCC could assist the Philippines in carrying out projects that ensure environmental sustainability in the midst of the threats posed by climate change,” said the Palace. In 2020, the CCCC was included in the US’s blacklist. Read more at: https://www.rappler.com/nation/china-communications-construction-co-vows-more-investments-philippines/
