SOCCSKSARGEN, Philippines – The Local Government Unit of General Santos City has partnered with the PPP Center, an agency attached to the National Economic and Development Authority. LGU GenSan does this in pursuit of developments for the general welfare as well as to prove its commitment to develop a robust pipeline of PPP Projects that will propel the city’s economy.

Said partnership was sealed by a Memorandum of Agreement signed by Mr. Ferdinand A Pecson, Executive Director of the Public-Private Partnership Center and Honorable Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera, after having been given the authority by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of General Santos City headed by Vice Mayor Loreto Acharon.

“This Memorandum of Agreement between the City of General Santos and the PPP Center institutionalizes the cooperation and coordination between the two parties to develop a robust pipeline of PPP Projects for the City of General Santos. On behalf of the PPP Center, I affirm the Center’s commitment to support the city of General Santos as it further pursues development projects and other projects for the benefit of the citizens of the city. Therefore, I look forward to the realization of the economic and social benefits that these projects would bring.” Mr. Ferdinand Pecson, Executive Director of the PPP Center said in a pre-recorded video message during the online- launching of the said partnership dated March 25, 2021.

Mayor Rivera, in turn, said “Today we officially commence our partnership with the Public-Private Partnership or PPP Center as I, on behalf of the City government, signed this Memorandum of Agreement. First of all, we thank the PPP Center for their service and continued support not only to the General Santos City Government but to all local government units that are in pursuit of community growth and development through Public-Private Partnerships. We thank the PPP Center for their willingness to provide assistance as we strive for a more efficient approach to our infrastructure and development projects. This endeavor of the city government began with a goal of achieving continuous improvement in the quality of life of our constituents and surrounding communities through the local infrastructure development projects with the help of the private sector. This formal arrangement signifies our commitment to cooperate with PPP Center as we aim to establish a robust pipeline of PPP Projects in General Santos City. May we all work together to achieve sustainability, efficiency and transparency in all our major projects.

Currently, the PPP Center is providing assistance to LGU GenSan on the development of five business cases. GenSan is considering developing the business cases into PPP Projects. These priority projects are: 1) Urban Coastal Zone Redevelopment Program: 2) Silway River Corridor Redevelopment Program; 3) GenSan Homes Public Rental Housing Project; 4) Construction of the Public Transport User’s Waiting/ Transfer Facilities Project; and 5) ICT Infrastructure Development. The LGU-GenSan is also closely working with the PPP Center on the Central Public Market, Sanitary Landfill and the Abattoir projects. #### (VTP/EDC/LVF/CEMCDO)