On January 15, 2024, at two o’clock in the afternoon, the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI) represented by Executive Vice President Samuel Lee Uy, Vice Chairman Jimmy Ang, Plenary Member Ramon Uy, Member Ronald Uy, Member Jaap Ang, Member Jyles Ang, and Secretariat Mexica Bausa, met with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan for a courtesy call at the DPWH Main Office, Port Area, Manila. Benjamin A. Bautista, DPWH Project Director, Roads Management Cluster I, was also present in the meeting.

To begin the meeting, Ms. Bausa briefly introduced the members of CFBCI to the honorable secretary, who in turn, expressed his gratitude for the lovely visit. Sec. Bonoan then took the liberty to provide a comprehensive introduction about DPWH’s present and future infrastructure projects that will ease traffic congestion, lower the cost of transporting goods, generate more jobs, and foster greater economic development in the country.

Among the infrastructure projects mentioned were the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge which will reduce the travel time between the two provinces from 5.5. hours to only 45 minutes, and the possibility of constructing a San Juanico Bridge II that will serve as an alternative route to the 50-year-old San Juanico Bridge that connects the islands of Leyte and Samar.

Sec. Bonoan also pinpointed several challenges experienced by the Department including the deterioration of road networks in Luzon due to overloading, reducing traffic bottlenecks, especially in major roads, and enhancing access roads for greater convenience of travelers. Despite the challenges mentioned, the two-time secretary is very optimistic to accomplish significant infrastructure developments during President Marcos Jr.’s term.

In response to Sec. Bonoan’s detailed narrative, Executive Vice President Uy expressed his admiration towards present infrastructure developments and highways adjustments initiated by the DPWH. “I frequently travel to North Luzon, and I noticed that the travel time has decreased significantly as well as the occurrence of bypass roads that provide convenience to land travelers and reduce traffic congestion; these observations only prove that DPWH is succeeding in achieving its long-term goals,” he said.

The two parties had a productive exchange of insights and near the conclusion of the meeting, Executive Vice President Uy encouraged Sec. Bonoan and Director Bautista to attend CFBCI’s upcoming 13th Biennial National Convention on February 21, 2024 at the Manila Hotel.

CFBCI also gave the Secretary a commemorative token of appreciation and the organization’s official coffee table book. Before saying goodbye, the two parties shook hands and laughed at a few memorable encounters. It was a wonderful conversation between CFBCI and the DPWH, the both of which are looking forward for future collaborations.
菲華工商總會訊：本會執行副理事長黃書瑋偕同常務理事洪海濱，理事顏漢龍，會員顏孫發、洪煜程、洪俊傑及英文外交Mexica Bausa，於元月十五日下午二時前往菲律濱公共工程暨公路部（Department of Public Works and Highway簡稱：公造部）總部拜會，受到部長曼努爾˙埃爾博諾安（Honorable Secretary Manuel Bonoan）及第一道路管理區主任班傑明˙包蒂斯塔（Benjamin A. Bautista）等公造部官員的熱烈歡迎及接待，席間就菲律濱基礎建設發展等多項豐富議題交換意見。

曼努爾˙埃爾博諾安部長首先致詞歡迎本會領導幹部的到訪，並且分享公造部（DPWH）當前和未來的一些基礎建設項目，說明該些項目將改善交通狀況、降低貨物運輸成本、創造更多就業機會，並且促進國家經濟發展。他也補充說，目前主要的工程項目包括有描沓安-甲美地互連大僑，該大橋將使兩個省的交通時間從原本的五個多小時縮短至四十五分鐘；建造聖胡安尼克二號橋的可能性，該橋將成為連接萊特省及薩馬省的替代路線，因為原本的聖胡安尼克橋現已有五十年歷史。他也指出，公造部目前所遇到的一些挑戰包括有，呂宋島道路因卡車常常超載而惡化及如何在主要道路上減少交通瓶頸，並承諾將竭盡所能的在馬可斯總統任內完成所有菲律濱重大基礎建設。

黃執行副理事長書瑋則是對曼努爾˙埃爾博諾安部長加強菲律濱基礎建設的決心表示肯定與讚揚，並且期盼本會日後能夠有機會與公造部合作，以造福社會大眾。他也代表本會邀請曼努爾˙埃爾博諾安部長及班傑明˙包蒂斯塔主任出席即將於二月二十一日在馬尼拉大飯店所舉行的本會第十三屆全菲代表大會。

整個拜會活動在黃執行副理事長書瑋等本會領導幹部贈送紀念品予曼努爾˙埃爾博諾安部長及賓主合影後，在溫馨氣氛下圓滿結束。

圖片說明：
上圖：黃執行副理事長書瑋等本會領導幹部贈送紀念品予曼努爾˙埃爾博諾安部長。（左起）洪俊傑、洪海濱、班傑明˙包蒂斯塔主任，曼努爾˙埃爾博諾安部長、黃書瑋、顏漢龍、顏孫發及洪煜程。
下圖：曼努爾˙埃爾博諾安部長（右）向本會領導幹部分享公造部（DPWH）當前和未來的一些基礎建設項目。