By Katrina Gracia Consebido
The bilateral agreement between Philippines and China during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s state visit in China is seen to revive the country’s steel industry, according to Ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz.
In a press briefing on Saturday, Jan. 7, FlorCruz said the signed agreements have presented concrete projects for the country.
“Kung titingnan po natin iyong 14 agreements, nakikita po naman natin na mukhang solid naman ang mga proyekto na nasa table ngayon,” FlorCruz said.
He added that they are anticipating USD 1 to 2 billion investment to establish the first liquid steel facility, adding that the Philippines is among the few countries in Southeast Asia that relies on steel importation.
The said project will also create 2,000 to 3,000 jobs for Filipinos, according to FlorCruz.
“Ang ini-expect po natin ay magpapasok ng 1.5 to 2 billion dollar investment para magtayo ng unang-unang liquid steel plant,” he continued.
“So ang plano pong ito at mag-uumpisa iyong ating steel industry. Kasi kung wala tayong steel industry na sarili iyong manufacturning plan, lalo lagi tayong reliant on imports,” he added.
The 14 bilateral agreements signed were on agriculture, infrastructure, development cooperation, maritime security, and tourism.
“Makikita po aligned ito sa ating pangangailangan dito. Hindi lang po ito dahil gustong magbenta ang China kung hindi dahil po kailangan at magbe-benefit tayo sa mga ganitong agreement,” FlorCruz said.
The Philippine envoy to China expressed hope that the deals secured by the Marcos administration will deliver tangible benefits and concrete projects.
The USD 22.8 billion in investment pledges were secured by Marcos during his roundtable meetings with various Chinese companies, including agribusiness, renewable energy, and strategic monitoring.
“Paano po natin ma-assure na mangyayari ‘yung pinapangako? Hindi po madali. Kasi kailangan ng follow through at ‘yun ang importante. ‘Yung mga pledges po, una, ay ang tingin ko nanggagaling sa taas. Hindi lamang ng mga kumpanya, mga Chinese companies na nag-sign,” he added.
“This time po nararamdaman ko na ‘yung mga pledges, ‘yung mga MOUs [Memorandum of Understanding], ay talagang senyales ng mga opisyal sa taas na ‘this time we deliver, we deliver tangible benefits, tangible projects.” –gb
