The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center of the Philippines and Singapore-based Infrastructure Asia (InfraAsia) recently renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to pursue collaboration in advancing local infrastructure development in the country through capacity building, policy formulation, and project development.

Infrastructure Asia Executive Director Seth Tan (left) and PPP Center Executive Director Ferdinand A. Pecson (right) sign the Renewal Agreement in the presence of officials and representatives from the Philippines and Singapore on October 11, 2021 via Zoom.

 

In an online ceremony on October 11, 2021, PPP Center represented by Executive Director Ferdinand A. Pecson and InfraAsia represented by Executive Director Seth Tan signed the Renewal Agreement in the presence of officials and representatives from the Philippines and Singapore.

The MOU renewal seeks to build on the initiatives already put in place to facilitate the continuous implementation of the PPP Center’s Local PPP Strategy which had helped improve the capacity of local implementing agencies (LIAs) in PPP project development and developing policy reforms for an enhanced PPP enabling environment. It also intends to expand collaboration efforts on emerging sustainable infrastructure solutions, including but not limited to renewable energy, water supply, and sanitation.

Among the initial MOU’s accomplishments include capacity building and PPP project support for the local government units of Ormoc City and the Municipality of Bislig. The PPP Center and InfraAsia also provided technical assistance and expertise in several training activities for LIAs on solid waste management, local government health, and dispute resolution.

The renewed MOU, which is set for another two years, is expected to draw interest and encourage more LIAs to consider PPP as one of their strategies in infrastructure and service delivery.

Also present during the MOU renewal signing are Singapore Ambassador to the Philippines Gerard Ho and Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Joseph del Mar Yap who both delivered congratulatory remarks. PPP Center Deputy Executive Directors Eleazar A. Ricote and Mia Mary G. Sebastian also attended the event.

The PPP Center is the main driver of the PPP program and central coordinating and monitoring government agency for all PPP projects in the Philippines. Meanwhile, InfraAsia, established by Enterprise Singapore and Monetary Authority of Singapore seeks to support infrastructure financing and development in the region.

The initial MOU between the PPP Center and InfraAsia was signed on September 9, 2019 during the state visit of Singaporean President Halimah Yacob at the Malacañan Palace.