New bridge and highway projects proposed in Philippines

In the Philippines plans are being developed for a new bridge link connecting Samal Island to Mindanao. The project has been proposed by the local government for Davao del Norte Province. Meanwhile a series of bridge and road projects are being put forward in a bid to develop the tourist trade in the Philippines. The bridge from the Island garden city of Samal would connect with the city of Davao on Mindanao, providing a link to the Francisco Bangoy International Airport. The PPP project looks likely to cost some US$137.2 million, with funding being sought from the 943 Asian Development Bank (ADB). The proposed 2015 budget to develop the tourism industry in the Philippines has been set at $686 million (compared with $573.3 million for 2014), of which $371.6 million will be invested in building and improving bridges and roads.