Source:  Embassy of the Philippines, Washington D.C.

The Philippines will soon host the International Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Specialist Center on Health after the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe PPP (UNECE PPP) Center of Excellence recently approved the putting up of the said center in Manila, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

In a report to President Benigno S. Aquino III dated April 25, Health Secretary Enrique Ona said the decision to choose Manila as the Center’s future site was done during the holding of the High Level Meeting to the 3rd Session of the Team of Specialists (TOS) on PPP held at the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland from April 18 to 19, 2011.

Ona, who joined other ministers and government officials from Europe as one of the guest speakers to the High Level Meeting, said the Philippines was chosen as the future site of the IPPPSCH to align the country’s overall involvement in the UNECE PPP Initiative with the current thrust of the President’s social contract with the Filipino people, particularly the PPP agenda.

The IPPPSCH, which will operate under a Memorandum of Understanding between the UNECE and the Philippines, will have the following function: Fund the establishment and operations of the UNECE PPP Specialist Center; Fund the development and updating of the specific best practice guides under the direction by the UN PPP Secretariat; Manage the sector specific PPP Research Program; Establish and manage the Specialist Center Membership; Establish an international database within the sector; and Provide support for other countries.

The UNECE PPP Initiative aims to globally improve the quality of life for citizens through the improved quality to and access to public utilities and services.