Consider PPP in financing projects, LGUs urged

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has urged local government units (LGUs) to consider public-private partnership (PPP) as a mode of financing projects for their constituents.

“I think this is the way forward, and I encourage all our local government units to be open to the possibilities of PPPs and to PPPs, especially in your areas,” Marcos said during a meeting with members of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) at Malacañang last Tuesday.

He added that digitalization would play a big part in PPP, especially in pushing for economic recovery and digital transformation in the Philippines.

Apart from pushing for digitalization, the President emphasized that his administration would also put increased focus on infrastructure, as he noted that several countries have offered their support for his infrastructure program.

“There are also many opportunities, especially in infrastructure. Many of our friends from different countries – especially those who paid courtesy calls to us – they offered a lot of help,” he said.

He also revealed that he had received offers to fund the government’s big-ticket projects, including official development assistance (ODA) and joint ventures.

“There’s ODA, private sector, joint venture... Well, you’re local government, you know that already. Local government generally cannot do it by itself. We have to find partners, we have to find local partners, we have to find investors. You’re used to that,” Marcos told local executives.

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno earlier said the PPP scheme was not maximized during the Duterte administration as there were no available projects that were ready for implementation.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte reportedly had signed just six PPPs since 2016, while his predecessor, the late Benigno Aquino III, approved a total of 17 during the latter’s presidency.

During his first State of the Nation Address on July 27, Marcos bared the government’s bid to increase digital connectivity in the Philippines through the so-called “Broad Band ng Masa” project.

The President has ordered Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan Uy to deploy digital connectivity across the country’s various islands.

Meanwhile, Marcos will “find a solution” on how the government will implement the Mandanas ruling amid less government revenue at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Valenzuela City Mayor Wes Gatchalian.

Marcos himself raised the topic during the LCP’s courtesy call at the Palace, Gatchalian said at the sidelines of the Kapihan sa Manila Bay media forum yesterday.

Marcos faced the city mayors to discuss funding issues related to the Mandanas ruling, hence the mention of finding a solution to the said issue. – Ghio Ong