PPP for School Infrastructure Project (PSIP) Phase I Ceremonial Turnover
Speech of Executive Director Cosette Canilao
Malolos, Bulacan
April 17, 2015

A pleasant morning to all!

Education is key to a nation’s progress. Now, in a time of regional and global integration, providing our people with the necessary skills and knowledge to be able to compete with their counterparts around the globe is of utmost importance. This much is true and our government recognizes the importance of providing this basic right to all Filipino youth.

It is this compelling need that has driven us to pursue the first social infrastructure project of the government under the PPP Program; the PPPs for School Infrastructure Project (PSIP) Phase 1 of the Department of Education (DepEd). I am therefore certain that we all share the immense joy and pride of being present here today to witness the turnover of the completed classrooms in Region 3 under this project.

As one of the early PPP projects to be awarded under the present Administration, challenges that tested our resolve were neither few nor were they easy to overcome. But we prevailed, and this momentous event is a testament of the PPP Program’s key contribution in forging meaningful and working partnerships between the private sector and the government. Partnerships that are anchored on mutual trust and confidence and further strengthened by adhering to transparent processes.

Allow me to extend our sincerest gratitude and warm congratulations to all our partners: the DepEd for diligently working to see this project through with us from development to implementation; To our private partner, Citicore-Megawide Construction and Bright Future Education Facilities Inc., who believed in the government and the PPP Program and delivered on their commitment under the contract.

Finally, to the teachers and students who will use the classrooms we are turning over here today, it is my humble hope that the same trust and confidence and working partnership that has made this project a success will inspire and help you in gaining knowledge in the pursuit of a brighter future for the younger generation and the entire nation.