GOVERNMENT is inviting private sector participation in ten infrastructure projects under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program.
The projects announced during last week’s forum on "Infrastructure Philippines 2010: Investing and Financing in Public-Private Partnership Projects" are:
- The $262-million Cavite-Laguna Expressway that will provide access between various economic zones in Cavite and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), and the Ports of Manila and Batangas. Implementation will be from May 2012 to December 2015;
- The $235.33-million NAIA Expressway (Phase II) linking the Skyway and the Manila-Cavite Coastal Expressway and providing access to NAIA Terminals 1, 2, and 3 as well as the Cavite economic zones. The project will be implemented from November 2011 to Sept. 2015;
- Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 2 East Extension project involving the expansion, operation and maintenance of the existing LRT Line 2;
- Privatization of LRT 1 at $171.11 million. Implementation is from 2011 to 2014;
- Privatization of MRT 3;
- The $1.55-billion LRT 1 South Extension project which will extend the 15-km LRT Line 1 system southward to Bacoor, Cavite with an additional 11.7 kilometers;
- The $168.89-million New Bohol Airport Development for implementation from 2012 to 2014;
- The $168.89-million Puerto Princesa Airport Development project (2012 to 2014);
- The $1.1-million New Legaspi (Daraga) Airport Development (2012 to 2014); and
- Privatization of Laguindingan Airport (2011 to 2013).
Transportation Secretary Jose De Jesus told forum participants the projects already have complete feasibility studies and right-of-way requirements. They also have the required government counterpart funding for award and implementation by the fourth quarter of 2011.
The PPP is a strategy of the Aquino administration to finance big-ticket projects through the assistance of the private sector.
The PPP projects could boost the Philippines’ growth in the next few years, according to ING Investment Management Philippines head Paul Joseph Garcia.
