The National Economic and Development Authority Regional Office IX in collaboration with the Public-Private Partnership Center (PPPC) of the Philippines launched the PPP Knowledge Corner (PPP-KC) on May 3, 2016 at NRO IX, Pagadian City.
The PPP-KC in Pagadian City is among the first batch of KCs to be established nationwide after the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the Establishment of PPP-KCs in all NEDA Regional Offices on January 26, 2018 between Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia and PPPC Executive Director Ferdinand A. Pecson.
The PPP-KC shall serve as a hub and coordinating unit between the PPP Center and the local government units, implementing agencies, the private sector and other stakeholders in the region. NRO IX shall answer queries on PPPs and coordinate closely with the PPP Center for technical support, updates and other relevant information, as may be necessary.
Around sixty-three (63) participants from the provincial, city and municipal local government units (LGUs), regional line agencies (RLAs), private sector and media representatives of Zamboanga Peninsula attended the activity. The launching was graced by the team from the PPP Center headed by Director Feroisa Francisca T. Concordia of the Capacity Building and Knowledge Management Service, together with Ms. Dionna Fe M. Falamig, Training Specialist II and Mr. Ramil E. Luteria, Information Officer II.
The PPP-KC is located at the ground floor of the NEDA Regional Office IX. RDC IX Co-Chairperson Jose J. Suan with Director Concordia, led the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon of the PPP-KC to mark the opening of its services in Region IX. They were assisted by Regional Director Teresita Socorro C. Ramos and Assistant Regional Director Phlorita Ridao.
During the Orientation on PPP-KC that followed, Director Concordia gave a message on behalf of Executive Director Pecson and an overview on the PPP Knowledge Corner. Director Concordia said “that the PPP Center is guided by the principle of transparency, accountability, and good governance and engages the private sector as vital partners who can bankroll critical infrastructure projects that will deliver much needed service for its growing population.”
Ms. Falamig provided a briefing on the Philippine PPP Program and the LGU PPP strategy. Mr. Renato C. Herrera, Chief of the Project Development, Investment Programming and Budgeting Division (PDIPBD), provided the participants a list of regional programs/projects with PPP potential.
Meanwhile, RDC IX Co-Chairperson Suan conveyed in his message that he “welcomes this initiative of NEDA and the PPP to establish KCs in all the regions nationwide for this is one way of enabling LGUs and other government entities to fully tap PPP as a viable option for the implementation of major capital projects at the regional and local levels”. He also shared that currently the San Ramon Newport, an international port to be located at the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority (ZamboEcozone), is currently being assisted by the PPP Center and is now up for Investment Coordination Committee -Technical Board (ICC-TB) action on May 10, 2018. Mr. Suan is one of the Board members of the ZamboEcozone.
In her message, Director Ramos said that “Zamboanga Peninsula 2017 Gross Regional Domestic Product growth rate as released recently by the Philippine Statistical Authority is among the lowest in the country at only 2.3 percent.” This was attributed to the poor performance of the construction sub-sector, particularly on government construction. She emphasized that the government envisions to implement infrastructure projects to generate significant employment opportunities and boost economic activities to attain inclusive growth. It is but timely that the PPP Center has forged a memorandum with NEDA to advocate PPP as an option for infrastructure project funding. She added that the establishment of the KCs is also PPP Center’s positive action in bringing government services closer, more accessible and faster to its stakeholders in the region. She committed to endeavor to provide needed information and facilitate the referral of concerns to the PPP Center to ensure the successful implementation of PPP projects in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
