The Philippines hopes to secure a possible new grant with the People’s Republic of China to finance a proposed bridge connecting Panglao Island and mainland Tagbilaran City in Bohol Province. 

“We are looking forward to the approval of official development assistance through a grant from China for the proposed Panglao-Tagbilaran City Offshore Bridge Connector (PTCOBC) Project”, said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations Emil Sadain. 

DPWH earlier secured this year the go signal of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board for this bridge project and has submitted requisite documents to the Department of Finance (DOF) needed in securing grant financing. 

In 2020, the ₱6.955 Billion project was confirmed by the DOF to be under China grant by the Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy during the preparatory meeting for the Philippines-China High-Level Meeting. 

According to Undersecretary Sadain, Chief Implementer of the Build Build Build Program, the planned four (4) lane 2.7-kilometer PTCOBC Project connecting mainland Bohol to the island municipalities of Dauis and Panglao will incorporate the iconic cable-stayed design. 

With the Province of Bohol among the top drawer of tourism in the Philippines, travelers looking forward to an adventure-filled vacation are expected to benefit from this new bridge as it will cut travel time from Tagbilaran City seaport to Panglao Island to 15 minutes from 45 minutes during peak period and will serve as an alternative route of the Jacinto Borja Bridge and Ambassador Suarez Bridge, added Undersecretary Sadain.