Study: Pinoys still welcoming of China-backed projects

Despite the Philippines' reported withdrawal from pursuing Chinese loans for railway projects, a recent analysis by local research and intelligence company Capstone-Intel Corp. found that Filipinos still showed a positive reception to China-backed projects. 

Capstone-Intel has conducted an analysis of public sentiment for one year about the ongoing cooperation between the Philippines and China in the railway sector—specifically focusing on the PNR South Long-Haul project. 

Throughout the period, a total of 96 posts were identified, generating 231 comments and being shared 441 times. The engagement score for these posts amounted to 695.7. 

Of the total posts analyzed, Capstone-Intel revealed that 94 percent were positive sentiments, while 58 percent liked the posts, with 31 percent love reactions.

"This result of the sentiment analysis shows positive feedback on the posts on PNR South Long Haul," Capstone-Intel statement said.

Last month, the Department of Finance or DoF informed Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian that it is pulling out the Philippines' request for official development assistance or ODA from Beijing for the P83-billion Mindanao Railway Phase 1.

"As discussed with the Department of Transportation, the government of the Philippines is no longer inclined to pursue the Chinese ODA financing for the Mindanao Railway Project Phase 1 Tagum-Davao-Digos Segment," the letter read.

The letter, signed by Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, did not state why the government withdrew the loan application.

Additionally, the government is planning to pull out the Philippine National Railways South Long Haul from China's portfolio.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the government is now considering partnering with other countries to raise funds for the Mindanao Railway Phase 1. He also signified that Public-Private Partnership could be another option for the project.