PPP Center lists 71 Mindanao projects in pipeline, 33 under implementation

The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center has 71 projects in the pipeline for Mindanao and 33 more already under implementation, one of its officials said at the Habi at Kape forum in Davao City on Wednesday, Oct. 21, according to Mindanao Times.

PPP Center director Feroisa Francisa Concordia said the figures cover both national and local projects, as well as solicited and unsolicited proposals. Pipeline projects include those at the concept stage, under feasibility study, awaiting approval or already open for bidding. "We do have an increasing number of interests in the Mindanao area," she said.

Concordia identified the Department of Education's classroom project as the largest Mindanao-specific PPP initiative at present. Under the plan, private firms would build school buildings across Regions 9 to 13, including parts of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The project is still in preparation and must be approved before DepEd can invite bidders.

The Mindanao Railway is also in project preparation, she said, with its operations and maintenance expected to be included in the PPP arrangement.

Local government units have explored projects in transportation, water supply, information and communications technology, property development, tourism and renewable energy, according to Concordia. She said Mindanao has clear opportunities in transport, citing the need for good connectivity to move goods to market.

Under the PPP Code, the Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang Panlalawigan approves local PPP projects, while the local chief executive implements them. Some projects need an endorsement from the Regional Development Council, while others require only confirmation from the Local Development Council before reaching the Sanggunian. Unsolicited proposals from private firms must first be submitted to the PPP Center, which has 10 calendar days to check them for completeness; incomplete proposals are not forwarded to implementing agencies.

Concordia urged LGUs and agencies to invest in sound feasibility studies, which she said guide local councils' decisions and show private investors whether a project is viable.

The PPP Center was in Davao City for a capacity development workshop for implementing agencies and local governments, the third in a series on the PPP review and approval process. Earlier sessions covered project concept notes and the setting up of PPP units in LGUs. Concordia said such training is critical because many agencies are used to traditional procurement and are still adjusting to the new law.