PPP Center, LGU group strike deal to develop high-impact projects

The Public Private Partnership (PPP) Center signed a deal with Union of Local Authorities in the Philippines (Ulap)—the umbrella organization of all leagues of local government units—to help local government units (LGUs) develop a “robust” pipeline of PPP projects.In a statement on Wednesday, the PPP Center said the Memorandum of Agreement signed on Dec. 19 would create a framework for cooperation with Ulap in crafting PPP projects that would spur local economic development.“The PPP Center will continue to promote its services to LGUs in helping develop and implement bankable projects in the regions,” the state agency said.“The Center will continue to assist ULAP’s constituent members in building their capacity to develop and implement PPP projects,” it added.The agreement was sealed following the enactment of the PPP code.The new law aims to strengthen and institutionalize PPPs in the country further by providing a unified legal framework for all PPPs at both national and local levels.

This legal framework covers all types of arrangements, such as Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) variants, joint ventures and toll operation agreements.

The law also reduces transaction costs and improves the ease of doing business for PPPs. It also clarifies the ambiguities in the existing BOT Law, which was last amended in 1994. INQ