World Bank unit sees 15 PPP projects as key to ASEAN connectivity

FIFTEEN public-private partnership (PPP) projects in the Philippines have been identified by the World Bank’s Singapore Infrastructure Hub as key projects for the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) plans to improve the region’s connectivity with the rest of the world, Philippine officials said.

In a statement, the PPP Center said that the international organization -- in a forum held in the country last Dec. 16 and Dec. 17 -- identified the following PPP deals as “essential infrastructure” for realizing “the Master Plan for ASEAN connectivity:”

The P5.81-billion operations, maintenance and redevelopment of the Puerto Princesa Airport; the P30.40-billion operation and maintenance (O&M) of the Iloilo Airport; the P14.62-billion Laguindingan Airport O&M; the P4.57-billion Enhanced O&M of New Bohol (Panglao) Airport; the P5.81-billion O&M of Puerto Princesa Airport; the P40.57-billion O&M of Davao International Airport; the O&M of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport; the P8.1-billion upgrading of the San Fernando Airport; the P18.99-billion Davao Sasa Port Modernization Project; the P177.22-billion North-South Commuter Railway (South Line); LRT2 O&M contract; the P15.77-billion NLEX East Expressway;the P7.64-billion Central Luzon Link Expressway-Phase II; the P2.34-billion Improvement and O&M of Kennon Road and Marcos Highway; and the P151.78-billion Plaridel Bypass Toll Road.

The PPP Center said that these connectivity projects will “directly link the Philippines with its ASEAN neighbors and to the rest of the world.”

Once built, the PPP Center said that transportation costs are expected to be reduced, “paving way for the exchange of more goods and services. At the same time the new infrastructures would facilitate faster and better travel that could potentially boost local tourism.”

During the first ASEAN PPP Networking Forum hosted by the Philippine government last month, the country’s PPP initiative was regarded as “one of the most mature PPP programs in the region that has established several policy and process improvements and developed a robust pipeline of projects.”

ASEAN countries that are just starting with PPP programs are Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam, PPP Center said, adding that they have also expressed their intent for future engagements with the Philippines to learn more about the country’s experience. -- Chrisee Jalyssa V. Dela Paz

source:  Businessworld