Duterte told: Talk with Xi on delays in Chinese loans for ‘Build, Build, Build’

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Monday asked President Rodrigo Duterte to bring up the apparent delays in the release of Chinese loans and investment pledges during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit this week.

“I hope the loan agreements that the Philippines has signed with the Chinese government will not be a case of pangakong napako (neglected promise),” Drilon said in a statement.

“We must demand the Chinese government to honor its pledges,” he added.

Drilon made the call a day before Xi makes his first state visit to the country on Tuesday.

During Xi’s two-day state visit, he will exchange views with Duterte on areas of mutual concern and chart the course for the future of Philippines-China bilateral relations, Malacañang said earlier.

Drilon noted that most projects under the government’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program rely on Chinese loans and grants, which were hit by delays.

“It has been almost two years since the government has pivoted to China and signed various loan agreements, but until now there are no clear signs that these loans and investment pledges are going to be delivered soon, except for some minor projects,” Drilon said.

The opposition senator also asked Mr. Duterte to take up the issue on the West Philippine Sea, including concerns of Filipino fishermen particularly the bullying they received from Chinese coast guards.  /kga