The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) Committee of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Code conducted an information and consultation session with private sector stakeholders on January 19, 2024 at the Seda Hotel, Quezon City.
In his opening remarks, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan emphasized the pivotal role of the PPP Code in attaining the socioeconomic development goals of the country.
“The PPP Program is a major initiative of the government – a cross-cutting strategy identified in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. The recently enacted PPP Code will further enable much-needed development across various sectors of the economy – particularly in physical and social infrastructure – and accelerate the delivery of public services necessary for economic growth and socioeconomic transformation,” said Balisacan.
The National Economic and Development Authority Secretary encouraged the private sector to contribute their valuable insights to help establish rules that enable the utilization of private sector expertise in process innovation, resource mobilization, and high-quality service delivery.
PPP Center Executive Director Ma. Cynthia C. Hernandez said that the stakeholder consultations being conducted by the IRR Committee shows an inclusive approach that ensures that the proposed IRR aligns with sector-specific realities and challenges, aimed at establishing an effective PPP policy environment in the country.
“We have always recognized the private sector’s indispensable role in nation-building and sustainable development. Pursuing PPPs allows us to tap the private sector’s valuable experience, expertise, and financial resources to advance our country’s development initiatives,” Hernandez added.
Fifty-two companies and organizations were represented in the consultation session. Among the online attendees were from the Management Association of the Philippines, Makati Business Club, Landbank of the Philippines, BDO Capital & Investment Corporation, and EEI Corporation. Meanwhile, representatives from Aboitiz InfraCapital, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, NLEX Corporation, Udenna Infra Corp, First Metro Investment Corporation, among others, attended the in-person activity.
State firms Land Bank of the Philippines and Maharlika Investment Corporation were also represented.
The salient features of the PPP Code as well as the proposed provisions of its draft IRR were presented by PPP Center Deputy Executive Director Jeffrey I. Manalo. During the session, attendees onsite and online were given the opportunity to ask questions and share their recommendations and suggestions in the development of the IRR.
Among the IRR Committee member-agencies present at the event were the departments of Finance, Interior and Local Government, Environment and Natural Resources, as well as the Commission on Higher Education. IRR Committee members who joined online were the Office of Executive Secretary represented by Atty. Karlo Paulo Tamondong and the Department of Justice represented by State Counsel IV Leilani R. Fajardo-Aspiras.
The consultation session with the private sector was organized in partnership with the University of the Philippines Public Administration Research and Extension Services Foundation, Inc.
Since early January, the IRR Committee has been conducting online and in-person stakeholder consultations and information sessions on the PPP Code and its proposed IRR.
The PPP Code of the Philippines was signed into law on December 5, 2023, and took effect on December 23, 2023. Pursuant to Section 34 of the Code, the IRR Committee shall promulgate the IRR within 90 calendar days from effectivity of the Code or on March 23, 2024.
