The Project Development and Monitoring Facility (PDMF) Committee convened on December 12, 2022 and approved the project preparation and transaction advisory support for the Manila Bay-Pasig River-Laguna Lake Ferry Project and the North Long Haul (NCR-Ilocos Norte and Cagayan) Inter-Regional Railway Project, and project preparation support for the NCR EDSA Busway Project. The three projects are the first set of projects to be approved for PDMF support under the new administration.
The Manila Bay-Pasig River-Laguna Lake Ferry Project will involve the financing, design, construction, procurement of low-carbon ferries, and the operations and maintenance of a high-capacity, high-frequency, and low-carbon ferry system that will strategically link Manila Bay and Laguna Lake through the Pasig River. The improved ferry system shall increase intra and inter-city, and regional connectivity; reduce travel time and greenhouse gases emissions; improve traffic conditions; and revitalize the waterfront.
The North Long Haul (NCR-Ilocos Norte and Cagayan) Inter-Regional Railway Project will involve the financing, design, construction, and operations and maintenance of an approximately 853-kilometer inter-regional railway system. It shall improve travel from NCR to Region I (Ilocos Region), Region II (Cagayan Valley), and Region Ill (Central Luzon). Further, it is envisioned to be seamlessly interoperable with other railway projects.
The NCR EDSA Busway Project will involve the financing, design, construction, procurement of buses, and operations and maintenance of a high-capacity busway plying through EDSA and other major and feeder roads. It is expected to reduce travel time and road congestion within Metro Manila, increase reliability and quality of transportation services, and improve the quality of physical linkages along the major and supporting thoroughfares in NCR.
With funding from the PDMF, a revolving fund administered and managed by the PPP Center, the PPP Center and the projects’ implementing agency (IA), the Department of Transportation (DOTr), will procure consultants to provide the following services: prepare the pre-feasibility and feasibility studies and proposed PPP project structure; assist in securing all required government approvals; prepare bid documents and assist in the PPP bidding process; and provide post-PPP contract signing assistance and advisory.
The PDMF Committee, composed of NEDA, DOF, DBM and PPP Center, is the approving body for all applications for PDMF support from IAs and Local Government Units. The PPP Center is mandated to champion the Philippine PPP Program by empowering IAs to successfully deliver PPP projects and ensuring a transparent, level playing field for its investors.
