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Public-Private Partnership Act to generate jobs, boost economic growth, says JV Ejercito

May 23, 2023

Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Wednesday urged Congress to enact a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Act to create jobs for thousands of Filipinos and spur economic growth.

Ejercito, who principally sponsored the PPP Act, said the measure will address the country’s worsening infrastructure backlogs, generate new opportunities for workers and the private sector, and eradicate poverty in the process.

“Strong and good infrastructures enable trade, businesses, employment, opportunities, economic growth, and development. This is why it is imperative for us to address our country’s infrastructure gap now for it to fully contribute to inclusive growth and poverty eradication,”

“We should endeavor to build a nation where accessibility and opportunities are shared and enjoyed by all Filipinos,” he said in his sponsorship speech.

According to the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, the country needs to increase its infrastructure investments in several areas of development, such as transportation, water supply and sanitation, health, irrigation, and education.

The lawmaker from San Juan said the private sector possesses vast resources and expertise that can be mobilized for widespread infrastructure development and the improvement of the country’s economic standing in the region.

“The value of PPPs in delivering the infrastructure needs of the country and utilizing the efficiencies of private sector participation is crucial to ‘build better more.’ We need enormous investments, resources, and innovation from the private sector,” Ejercito said.

“Translating these PPP opportunities into more jobs, improved competitiveness, and higher economic growth is imperative and urgent. We need to work double time and not let the country at the heels of our ASEAN neighbors,” he added.

Senate Bill No. 2233, which consolidated several bills seeking to strengthen the country’s PPP program, hopes to provide a unified legal framework for all PPPs at the national and local levels.

It also seeks to update the approval thresholds for national PPP projects; improve existing frameworks on unsolicited proposals; establish a predictable and stable tariff regulatory regime on PPPs; reinforce enabling institutions for PPPs, such as the PPP Center, PPP Governing Board and Project Development and Monitoring Facility; institutionalize several best PPP practices; and strengthen the local autonomy of LGUs.

Once passed, the said measure will replace Republic Act No. 6957 or the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Act, as amended by RA 7718

The enactment of a PPP Act was recently identified as one of the legislative priorities of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos and his administration, according to the latest list issued by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).

One of the bills substituted by the said measure, Senate Bill No. 1974, was authored by Ejercito.

Senate President Migz Zubiri, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, Majority Floor Leader Joel Villanueva, and Senators Sonny Angara, Jinggoy Estrada, Imee Marcos, Win Gatchalian, and Bong Revilla also filed similar measures.

“No less than the President acknowledges the potential of PPPs in addressing our infrastructure needs. During his first State of the Nation Address, the President identified the PPP Act as one of his administration's legislative priorities and outlined its policy objectives,” Ejercito said.

“Let us enable and promote a legislative and policy environment where healthy partnerships between the public and the private sector can thrive for the benefit of the Filipinos,” he added. 

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