PPP says 53 projects now in the pipeline

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=898422
• Sunday, June 26, 2016

(PNA), PGLENA/CBF

ILOILO CITY (PNA) -- A total of 53 projects to be implemented under the public-private partnership scheme to include the proposed expansion of the Iloilo International Airport are now in the pipeline.

Undersecretary Andre C. Palacios, executive director of the PPP center, speaking before members of the Regional Development Council (RDC) in Western Visayas on Friday, said that the expansion is among the projects that fall under the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

He added that around 60 percent of the projects that are on the pipeline are part of the DOTC projects.

The expansion of Iloilo’s international airport with an estimated budget of Php30.4 billion is part of the five regional airport projects that were included in the PPP.

“The idea is to increase capacity before we have congestion like in Manila,” he said adding the Iloilo airport is already nearing its capacity. The project is yet to be subjected to bidding procedures.

Palacios expressed hope that the 53 viable projects will attract more international players.

“The reason that we want international players is that the increased competition is actually better for the end-user. The project will become of better quality and cheaper,” he said.

He also disclosed that they have already awarded 12 projects, higher than their prior target of only 10 projects. Three projects were completed, short of their five targets while four are under implementation.

In his message, he encouraged local government units and national agencies to visit the PPP center for possible technical support and even avail of international consultants with no cash outs.

PPP, he said, is the third and last option in the development of projects.

“It offers last option because not all infrastructure projects should be through PPP,” he said.