Public-Private Partnership Center

Source: Sun Star Baguio, 21 March 2012

ROADS connecting the Cordilleras to the lowlands will soon be opened up for public-private partnerships (PPP), one of the flagship programs of the Aquino administration.

The operation and maintenance of Kennon Road and Marcos Highway spanning some 81 kilometers are now being identified by the National Government for PPP, to include upgrading and improvement of landslide-prone sections along the road.

In a briefing conducted at the National Economic Development Authority (Neda)-Cordillera, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Director Edilberto Carabacan said the procurement of consultants for a business case study is expected to be done this month according to the agency’s PPP center.

The corresponding business case study, Carabbacan said, will start this August as the government gives both roads top priority so as not to hamper the economic growth of Baguio City and the Cordilleras.

Kennon Road spans some 34.207 kilometers with 6,617 vehicles annual average daily traffic, while Marcos Highway spans 38.0373 kilometers with 2,518 vehicles annual average daily traffic. These roads are among the two of the three access roads to the region.

According to Carabbacan, for both roads alone, the total allocation of DPWH for maintenance is estimated at P7.5 million yearly, reason why the government is eyeing its privatization to improve its maintenance.

However, he said several sections of the two roads remain critical during the typhoon season as it is slide-prone, particularly Kennon Road with Bued River occasionally overflowing in Camps 3, 4, 6 and Twin Peaks.

Bridges crossing Kennon, he added, are also critical and are up for replacement. Marcos Highway, he said, is not far behind with occasional road-cuts during strong typhoons.

With the completion of the Tarlac–Pangasinan-La Union Expressway and the rehabilitation of both Kenon and Marcos as PPP projects, it will be possible to shorten travel time from Manila from the usual six hours travel.

However, to make both roads as all-weather roads, government needs to rely on the private sector in coming up with a design that will withstand typhoons causing rock and landslides in both Kennon and Marcos Highway.

With a tolled road, funds will be gathered for the maintenance of the roads as well as its operations, he added.

Neda Assistant Director General Ruperto Majuca said PPP seeks to encourage greater participation of the private sector in the provision of basic public infrastructure through construction, investments, and operations and management.

The government, as one of the component in the Philippine Development Plan for 2011 to 2016, recognizes the private sector as a reliable and capable partner in pursuing infrastructure projects that will help improve the lives of Filipinos.