City dad pushes for creation of body to screen project partners

CEBU, Philippines - A Cebu City councilor has proposed an ordinance that would create a committee that would be responsible for choosing private sector proponents in public-private partnership agreements with the city government.

In proposing for the “2014 City of Cebu PPP Code,” Councilor Gerardo Carillo said the City Council must participate in public-private partnership projects undertaken by the executive department for transparency and accountability.

“We recognize that the executive department has been active in the PPP project. In the number of activities in the city, the executive has been promoting the PPP project,” Carillo said.

He said city government has engaged in many PPP projects that aim to maximize the involvement and participation of the private sector in local affairs.

“The Cebu City intends to improve the living conditions of its constituents by providing the necessary infrastructure services in, among others, energy and power, communication, transport and water thru the involvement of the private sector in local planning and decision making,” he said.

He said the PPP concept “enables the participation of private sector in providing infrastructure facilities and services to its constituents.”

Under the proposed ordinance, the selection committee will be composed of the city administrator as the chairman; the city legal officer as the vice chairman or head of secretariat; and the city budget officer, city planning and development officer, city engineer, and one representative from the City Council as members.

During the public hearing, Councilor Alvin Dizon said there should be more representatives from the council.

“I would like to suggest that the composition of the selection committee, as a way forward, maybe (member Carillo) could add more members of the City Council to balance our representation with the executive department,” he said.

Joe Soberano, chairman and president of Cebu Landmasters, said during the public hearing that the proposed ordinance “will give us more opportunity to extend our own share to develop the properties of the city.”

Meanwhile, Assistant City Administrator Jovy Morellos said that because it will be the executive department that will be affected by the ordinance, it might be better to study the proposal first.

“Instead of creating a selection committee, why not create team to conduct feasibility study on the guidelines establishing the requirement body for the approval of PPP projects,” she said.

Councilor Margarita Osmeña agrees. “What is more important is the accountability of the private sectors and the city government. It can be achieved if there are definitions in the private-partnership operation,” she said.

Carillo said he will consider all suggestions. — Jean Marvette A. Demecillo/JMO (FREEMAN)