15 February 2013, Manila Bulletin
by Chino Leyco
The Aquino administration has vowed to create a more conducive environment for its Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) program amid government’s plan to bid out more projects, a ranking official said.
Cosette V. Canilao, PPP Center executive director said in her speech at the Philippines Infrastructure Development Seminar that the government has 17 projects in the pipeline after it successfully awarded nine projects.
These projects include the NLEX-SLEX Connector Road, Cavite-Laguna Expressway, Civil Registration System–Information Technology Project Phase II, Vaccine Self-Sufficiency Project Phase II as well as Talisay City Plaza Complex Heritage Restoration and Redevelopment Project.
The PPP projects also included Enhanced O&M Pangalo Airport, O&M of Laguindingan Airport, Establishment of Cold Chain Systems, Grains Center Project, O&M of LRT Line 2, O&M of Puerto Princesa Airport, New Centennial Water Supply, Rehabilitation of Quirino Highway Project, Integrated Transport System Project, Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project, El Nido Water Supply and Sanitation System Project and Regional Prison Facilities through PPP.
To craft a more conducive environment, Cosette said President Aquino has already directed all line agencies to establish a PPP unit as well as the establishment of PPP sub-committees in the Local Development Councils of LGUs.
She also said that the government has increased its capacity undertaking through the establishment of project development and monitoring facility fund as well as more capacity development interventions.
Cosette also cited the the creation of the PPP strategic support fund which is a lump sum appropriation lodged in the budget to fund the government share for PPP project components.
Cosette added that they have enhanced the legal and regulatory framework, like the amended implementing rules and regulations of the built-operate-transfer law, issuance of executive order no. 78 or the alternative dispute resolution and the extension of the central bank circular no. 770 on single borrower’s limit.
The official, likewise, said that they have amended the joint venture guideline for government owned and controlled corporations.
Other initiatives that are now being processed, Cosette said that the revised framework for financing national government framework, drafting of the IRR for the executive order on alternative dispute resolution and the creation of a contingent liability fund.
