The USD3 billion Bataan–Cavite Interlink Bridge project has announced bids in the Philippines. Among them, China Harbour Engineering Company Limited led the competition with a PHP4.87 billion bid, marking a 33 per cent discount from the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) PHP7.2 billion budget for the Bataan Land Approach segment. In contrast, Filipino consortiums Sta. Clara–Posco, EEI Corporation–PMI, and DMCI ranked fifth, seventh, and eighth, respectively.
Local bidders have written to National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, urging a security review of the procurement process given the bridge’s strategic position along a key maritime corridor. They raised concerns over the involvement of Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs) as sole contractors, citing risks related to foreign labour dependence, opaque governance, and past project controversies.
China Harbour, a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC)—previously blacklisted by the World Bank—was followed by China Wu Yi Company Limited–Fujian Road & Bridge, Hunan Road & Bridge–China Civil Engineering Construction JV, Beijing Urban Construction Group, and Sino Road and Bridge Group. The Bataan–Cavite Interlink Bridge, spanning 32 km, aims to link Central Luzon with Cavite across Manila Bay, reducing travel time to 45 minutes. However, the growing dominance of Chinese bidders has renewed debate over foreign control of critical Philippine infrastructure.