Economic development should be a joint endeavor by the government and the private sector. That’s the key rationale between the public-private partnership (PPP) program of the national government.
As things now stand, the pipeline of PPP projects is now at 169, with a total value of P3.18 trillion. These include 113 national PPP projects and 56 local ones, according to the PPP Center website.
Of the national PPP projects, 75 are solicited and 38 unsolicited. Of the local PPP projects, 16 are solicited and 40 unsolicited. Of the total, five PPP projects valued at around P28 billion will be awarded this year and by early 2025. These include the New Bohol International Airport and the Negros Occidental Bulk Water Supply Project, which will be awarded by the end of this year.
Also to be awarded next year are the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) Cancer Center, the Boracay Bridge project, the Bislig City Bulk Water Supply project, the Bislig City Septage project, and a dialysis center at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center.
Projects due for submission to approving bodies by the end of this year include the Boracay Bridge project, the San Ramon Newport project, the UP-PGH Diliman project, and the Iloilo International Airport Project.
The operations and maintenance contract of the Metro Manila Subway and North South Commuter Railway, and rehabilitation, operations and maintenance of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 are also scheduled for awarding in 2025.
PPP projects for submission to approving bodies by next year are the Cagayan Valley Medical Center–Hemodialysis Center, the Kalibo International Airport project, and the Puerto Princesa International Airport project.
The scope of PPP projects to be implemented shows that these would be implemented across the country depending on the actual needs of the regions for roads, seaports, airports, and health facilities, among others. The pipeline for PPP projects also includes major water supply, flood control, and irrigation infrastructure projects. This is expected to help meet the economy’s growing needs while increasing resilience against climate change.
It is entirely correct for the government to enter into PPPs to mobilize private funds to build needed infrastructure. There can be no other way, as the government alone cannot be expected to fund the massive funding requirements for sustained economic growth for years on end.
