RI backs Manila project

RI backs Manila project

MANILA (UPI): The Indonesian government Monday expressed full support for a proposed $1.7-billion rail project in the Philippines, which is to be constructed by a consortium made up of companies from the two neighboring countries.

Asia Konstruct and Indo-Phil Holdings Co. are heading the Filipino-Indonesian consortium involved in the rail project, which seeks to connect the metropolis of Manila to an adjacent province.

Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines A. Hartono has assured the agency working on the project that major Indonesian companies are set to finance passenger and cargo rail transit to ease traffic congestion in the capital.

"Indonesia is very much interested in helping the Philippines attain the newly-industrialized country status by the year 2000," Hartono said.