The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center, Department of Transportation (DOTr), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Office of Markets Development and Public-Private Partnership (OMDP) signed the Agreement on Transaction Advisory Services for three priority infrastructure projects of the DOTr on August 1, 2024, at the ADB Headquarters in Mandaluyong City.
These priority PPP projects include the Philippine Automated Fare Collection System (PAFCS) Project, the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Project, and the Davao Public Transport Modernization (DPTM) Project O&M. The PPP Center will be supporting these projects through the Project Development and Monitoring Facility (PMDF) which is a revolving fund managed by the Center that will finance the project preparation, structuring, and procurement of these projects.
PPP Center Executive Director Ma. Cynthia C. Hernandez underscored the importance of this collaboration, stating, “Through the support of the PDMF, the ADB is bringing their sector expertise and knowledge in PPP transactions, which will play a vital role in ensuring that projects are well-conceived, well-structured, and ready for implementation.”
DOTr Secretary Jaime J. Bautista also added that these transaction services will help in fast-tracking the structuring of the projects, which aims for a better commuting experience while ensuring compliance with global standards.
The PAFCS Project targets to establish a nationwide automated fare collection system integrated into urban transportation for hassle-free travel nationwide, while the MRT-3 O&M Project seeks to improve the efficiency and reliability of the MRT-3 by reducing travel time and road congestion while enhancing safety. Finally, the DPTM Project will implement a modern public transport system in Davao City, which will support the area’s rapid economic growth.
“These three projects are very transformative that they exemplify the strong partnership between ADB and the Philippine government. They do reflect the shared vision of improving public infrastructure, fostering economic growth, and enhancing the quality of life for the Filipino people,” said ADB Southeast Asia Department Director General Winfried Wicklein.
Also present during the ceremony were PPP Center Deputy Executive Director Eleazar E. Ricote, DOTR Undersecretary for Planning and Project Development Timothy John R. Batan, ADB Country Director Pavit Ramachandran, and Head of ADB-OMDP F. Cleo Kawawaki.
These PPP projects aim to improve the future of sustainable and road-based public transport across the country. The support provided by the PDMF facilitates the evaluation, development, procurement, and implementation of viable and bankable PPP projects, promoting investment in infrastructure and development projects and services in the country.
