Manila Bulletin, 30 December 2012
Tempo, 31 December 2012

The government set the bar higher for its Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program in 2012 as it met its goal of eight infrastructure projects – School Infrastructure Project Phase I, NAIA Expressway Phase II, LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension and Operation and Maintenance (O&M), Modernization of Philippine Orthopedic Center, Rehabilitation and O&M of Angat Hydro-Electric Powerplant Auxilliary Turbines 4 & 5, Automatic Fare Collection System, School Infrastructure Project Phase II, and Mactan Cebu International Airport Terminal Building.

The PPP program is right on schedule, the PPP Center reported, saying that in 2013, six of the eight projects will be implemented and augmented by financial support from Project Development and Monitoring Fund. The government has R91.7 billion ($1.8 billion) worth of PPP projects in the pipeline. Sixteen more big projects will be added to the PPP program before 2016, including Enhanced O&M of New Bohol (Panglao) Airport, O&M of Laguindingan Airport, O&M of Puerto Princesa Airport, O&M of LRT Line 2, Cavite-Laguna Expressway, North Luzon Expressway-South Luzon Expressway Connector, and Quirino Highway upgrade.

Under the PPP, government agencies come up with a list of projects to be undertaken in partnership with the private sector as well as funding by multilateral lenders such as World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB). Local governments are tapped to engage in PPP programs.

The PPP Center Report augurs well for Philippines’ high ranking on PPP readiness. The “2011 Infrascope Study” conducted by Economic Intelligence Unit for ADB in 11 developing Asia-Pacific economies, showed that the Philippines, among members of Association of Southeast Asian Nations, offers the most ideal environment for PPPs.

We congratulate Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio L. Singson and Public-Private Partnership Center Executive Director Cosette V. Canilao, all the best and success in their joint efforts to carry out sustainable, long-term PPP projects. CONGRATULATIONS AND MABUHAY!