THE Aquino administration has approved some P287.63 billion worth of projects under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Program since it assumed office in June 2010.
Data obtained from the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) showed that 14 projects have been approved by the Investment Coordination Committee and later confirmed by the Neda Board from June 2010 to March 2014.
The PPP project that had the biggest cost was the P64.92-billion Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 South Extension Project of the Department of Transportation and Communications.
Documents also showed that the least cost was the P1.16-billion Rehabilitation, Operation and Maintenance of the Angat Hydro Electric Power Plant Auxiliary Turbines 4 and 5 through the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System.
Of the 14 approved PPPs, five projects will be implemented in the National Capital Region. These are the P1.72-billion Contactless Automatic Fare Collection System); the P7.75-billion development of the Integrated Transport System Terminals at FTI and PRA under PPP; and the P15.86-billion Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway Phase 2 Project of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Further, two PPPs that were confirmed by the Neda Board will be implemented in Region 3 or Central Luzon; two in Region 4A or Calabarzon; and one in Region 7 or Central Visayas.
The documents also showed four projects will be implemented in two or more regions. The LRT Line 1 South Extension and P62.7-billion Metro Rail Transit Line 7 Project, for instance, will be implemented in Metro Manila as well as Regions 4A and Region 3.
The other multiregion projects were the PPP for School Infrastructure Project (PSIP) Phases 1 and 2 by the Department of Education. Phase 1 will be implemented in Regions 1, 3 and 4A, while Phase 2 will be in Regions 1, 2, CAR, 3, 4B, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and Caraga.
The PSIP Phase 1 amounts to P9.89 billion, while the PSIP Phase 2 costs P13.14 billion. The projects involve the construction of one-story school buildings for elementary and secondary schools in various regions.
The PPP program of the Aquino administration is a primary strategy for national development aimed at accelerating infrastructure and other development services in order to sustain national economic growth.
The powers and functions of the Neda reside in the Neda Board. It is the country’s premier social and economic development planning and policy-coordinating body.
The Board is composed of the President as chairman, and the secretary of socioeconomic Planning and Neda director general as vice chairman.
The members of the Neda Board include the Executive Secretary and the secretaries of finance, trade and industry, agriculture, environment and natural resources, public works and highways, budget and management, labor and employment, and the interior and local government.
20 April 2014
By Cai U. Ordinario
