Gov't includes P23-billion PPP projects in the pipeline

The government has added five new projects worth P22.9 billion in its infrastructure pipeline amid the gap worsened by the pandemic, according to a report by Philippine Star.

The Public-Private Partnership Center said the five new projects bring the total number of PPP projects in the pipeline to 63, with overall project cost amounting to P7.24 trillion.

These new projects are the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority’s Clark Tourism Enterprise Zone (TEZ), San Pablo City Water District Septage Management, General Santos Sanitary Landfill, Metro Cebu Expressway, and the operation and maintenance of the Pasig City Hemodialysis Center.

The PPP Center said the additional projects aim to help address the infrastructure gap worsened by the challenges caused by the pandemic.

The P5.7-billion Clark TIEZA TEZ is targeted to be an integrated premier shopping tourism destination, which will be developed as a means of contributing to socioeconomic growth.

Located on a 20-hectare greenfield property inside the Clark Special Economic Zone, it is envisioned to be an integrated tourism complex and all-day tourist destination composed of various tourism enterprises. Implementation is composed of three phases.

The P111-million San Pablo City Water District Septage Management involves the finance, design, construction, and operation and maintenance of a septage treatment plant with a capacity of 70 cubic meters per day.

So far, the PPP Center said the project that was initiated in June is nearing its conclusion. The solicited joint venture project recently got three bidders who submitted qualification and bidding documents.

The General Santos Sanitary Landfill involves the operation and maintenance of the landfill and the establishment and implementation of a waste conversion program. It aims to extend the life of the landfill and improve its capacity.

To be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Metro Cebu Expressway involves the construction of segments 1 and 2 of the 73.7-kilometer road in Metro Cebu.

It also covers the operations and maintenance of segments 1, 2 and 3 of the road to provide a seamless traffic flow from Naga City up to Danao City.

Lastly, the operation and maintenance of the Pasig City Hemodialysis Center is under negotiation. Its private proponent is the Premier 101 Healthcare Management Inc.

Currently, the PPP Center has 183 projects under implementation with a total cost of P2.3 trillion.

The government’s local PPP strategy also remains with 19 local PPP projects worth P50 billion in the pipeline.

The PPP Center also recently published the invitation to bid for the Iloilo City Slaughterhouse project involving the rehabilitation, operation and maintenance of the facility to increase production capacity and secure accreditation.

Meanwhile, the competitive challenge for the Tuguegarao City Septage Management project is nearing completion. It covers the financing, design, construction, development and operation of Tuguegarao City’s septage management system and related infrastructure.