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.