Several senators on Wednesday questioned why at least a third of workers in 2 bridge construction projects in Manila are Chinese, saying that Filipinos should be prioritized in hiring schemes especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to data from the DPWH, 45 percent of workers in the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge project are Chinese, while the same foreign nationality also composes 31 percent of those involved in the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge project.

Sen. Sonny Angara said under the law,professional vacancies-such as engineeers, architects and doctors – must only be occupied by Filipino workers.

“There is a provision in the Constitution that the practice of professions must be limited to Filipinos,” he said.

For his part, Sen. Francis Pangilinan said : “Mataas yung 31 percent no matter how you look at it,”

“We have many ways to push for local employment over foreign employment,” he said.

DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said that the foreign workers were hired as part of the agreement with China, which financed several projects in Manila.