The Claim: Build Build Build begins work on longest tunnel road project in Davao
Rating: MISSING CONTEXT
The Facts: A post shared with us through our tipline
(https://www.facebook.com/PinasNewsFlash/posts/378549164273657) touted the initial construction of the Davao City Bypass Tunnel, itself a part of the larger Davao City Bypass Road project purportedly under the Build Build Build program.
This is true, but is missing context.
The project was funded via Japan Official Development Assistance (ODA) with a Special Terms for Economic Partnership (STEP) Loan from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The loans in particular are under Loan Agreement No. PH-P261 and PH-P273 (https://www.dpwh.gov.ph/dpwh/news/22546).
Construction indeed began in November of last year (https://mb.com.ph/…/dpwh-revs-up-work-in-mountain…/), with the tunnel itself expected to be completed by April 2022 under JICA PH-P261 (https://www.dpwh.gov.ph/dpwh/PPP/projs/davao_bypass).
However, the program of work on the project started much, much earlier.
A PDF from JICA’s official site containing the plans, studies, and recommendations for the initial plans for the Davao Bypass was created on February of 2015 (https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/12185252_02.pdf), while the official site of the Consulate-General of Japan in Davao indicates that the PH-P261 ODA loan was taken out in August of 2015 (https://www.davao.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/files/100252949.pdf).
Why we fact checked this: Given that preparatory plans for the project were already underway during the year of 2015, it would be a stretch to say that the project was started as part of the BBB initiative.
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