MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is urging businessmen to invest in far-flung communities in Visayas and Mindanao, particularly in smaller scale public-private partnership (PPP) projects.

DILG Secretary Ismael Sueno said firms could engage in simple PPP projects such as providing potable water, irrigation and electrification in far-flung communities to help in the equal distribution of economic development across the country.

“We have big PPPs here in Metro Manila and in Luzon, hundreds of billions of pesos worth but we do not have PPPs in the Visayas, especially in Mindanao. But we will not ask for big projects for the far-flung provinces of the Visayas and Mindanao. We will be talking or asking for smaller PPPs,” Sueno said.

According to Sueno, DILG has been able to secure the support of the World Bank for its planned small PPP project endeavor which it intends to unveil in the coming weeks.

“The World Bank last week came into our office and they are willing to help in these PPP projects and they are also giving assistance in capacitating our local government. The World Bank is helping and many of our local executives are excited to engage in PPPs,” he said.

“So we want to let the businessmen know that if you want to help the Philippines, help us also in Visayas and Mindanao,” Sueno added.

One of the current administration’s thrust is to spur development in the countryside.

Following the election of the country’s first president from Mindanao and his commitment to solve peace and order situation there, more local and foreign firms have expressed interest to invest in the region.

31 August 2016
By Richmond Mercurio