PPP Center, BIR hold talks on PPP projects

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) recently held exploratory talks with the Public-Private Partnership Center about the implementation of PPP projects.

BIR officer-in-charge Assistant Commissioners Jethro Sabariaga and Raquel Cristina Baltazar, and Assistant Commissioner Larry Barcelo led the BIR attendees composed of officers from the Excise Large Taxpayer Field Operations Division, Administrative Systems Division, Project Development and Management Division, Project Management and Implementation Service, Operations Network and Engineering Division, and the Law and Legislative Division.

During the meeting, Dionne Marga Larin, director of capacity building and knowledge management service at the PPP Center discussed the PPP program, PPP concepts and legal framework, investing in information and communications technology PPPs and the PPP Center’s mandate and assistance to implementing agencies.

There was also a discussion on the action the BIR will need to take in further developing the concept of their proposed PPP project.

Details on the BIR’s proposed project were not immediately available.

As the agency mandated to facilitate the implementation of PPPs, the PPP Center provides technical assistance to national government agencies, government-owned-and controlled corporations, government financial institutions, state universities and colleges, and local government units in preparing, developing and undertaking PPP projects.

The government is pushing for PPPs for infrastructure development given the government’s limited sources.

Last March, the National Economic and Development Authority Board chaired by President Marcos approved the list of 194 infrastructure flagship projects (IFP).

These projects will be prioritized in terms of the government’s budget preparation and in the issuance of permits and licenses consistent with legal frameworks.

Of the total IFPs, 45 are being eyed to be financed through PPPs.