The NEDA Regional Office (NRO) MIMAROPA conducted an orientation on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for local government units (LGUs) on April 22 through Zoom.
The orientation was participated in by more than 120 participants representing MIMAROPA local chief executives (LCEs), LGU-PPP focal persons, and local planning and development coordinators.
The activity aims to provide the participants with an overview of the PPP concepts and processes and to enhance their skills in undertaking PPP projects.
In her welcome remarks, NEDA MIMAROPA Regional Director Susan A. Sumbeling recognized the participation of the LGUs in the activity. She highlighted the role of LGUs as frontliners in the management of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). She said that the region is expected to have a decline in growth due to the effects of pandemic such as loss of jobs, livelihoods, and businesses, particularly in the tourism sector which is one of the economic growth drivers of the region.
Director Sumbeling also reminded the LGUs to strengthen their capabilities as they will have a greater role once the Mandanas-Garcia Case Ruling takes effect in 2022. Starting next year, many programs and projects will be devolved in the LGUs, thus, the LGUs shall be equipped with enough capacities to effectively utilize their budgets as well as in identifying other funding sources such as PPP.
Lastly, she hoped to see the impact of the orientation through increased PPP projects in the region that will contribute to the attainment of Ambisyon Natin 2040 of a Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na Buhay para sa lahat.
Ms. Jobelle M. Cruzado, OIC-Chief of the Project Development, Investment Programming, and Budget Division of the NEDA MIMAROPA, presented the overview, expected outputs, participants expectations, and the program of activities of the orientation.
Assistant Director Jomel Anthony V. Gutierrez of the PPP Center Capacity Building and Knowledge Management Service presented the following: a) Philippine PPP Program including the Infrastructure Development Program and applicable PPP concepts in the Philippines; b) PPP Center including its mandate and support to implementing agencies; and c) PPP legal frameworks including the Amended Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law and its Revised IRR, 2013 Revised NEDA JV Guidelines, LGU PPP Code/JV Ordinance, and other pertinent laws and issuances.
Director Feroisa Francisca T. Concordia of the PPP Center Capacity Building and Knowledge Management Service presented the following: a) PPP processes including the solicited and unsolicited tracks; and b) PPP process under PPPC-DILG-JMC No. 2019-01 including background and rationale of the JMC and JVA concepts, forms, and processes.
Meanwhile, Atty. Lester A. Añonuevo of the PPP Center Project Monitoring Division presented some of sample PPP projects including BOT Law and JV projects.
One of the highlights of the orientation was the launching of the virtual PPP Knowledge Corner (vKC) on the NEDA MIMAROPA website which serves as an information hub venue where regional line agencies, LGUs, state universities and colleges, and other stakeholders can get updated PPP related information that may help them develop and implement PPP projects.
In closing, NEDA MIMAROPA OIC-Assistant Regional Director Bernardino A. Atienza, Jr. thanked everyone for their active participation in the orientation and for staying throughout the duration of the activity. He reiterated that the orientation was designed to promote and inspire LGUs to venture into PPP. He hoped that the acquired learnings will be applied in their respective municipalities and provinces. He also assured the participants that NEDA and PPP Center can assist them in the realization of their PPP projects every step of the way.
Press Release from NEDA MIMAROPA
