Government eyes PPP for Baggao water project

MANILA, Philippines — The government is looking for private sector firms interested in a water supply project in Baggao, Cagayan.

In an advisory, the Public-Private Partnership Center (PPP) Center said a market sounding activity would be held by the Baggao municipal government with interested private sector investors on Oct.18 for the water supply joint venture project.

“As part of the project development activities, Baggao is conducting a market sounding activity to solicit insights and feedback on the project terms,” the PPP Center said.

The project involves the design, financing, construction, testing, operation, and maintenance of a Level III water supply system.

It will include water resource development; treatment; pumping; storage; transmission and distribution; as well as billing and collection.

The PPP Center is providing support to the implementation of the Baggao water supply project.

In line with its local strategy, the PPP Center is providing support to local government units (LGUs) in the implementation of PPP projects.

PPP Center executive director Ma. Cynthia Hernandez earlier noted the increasing interest from LGUs in PPPs, particularly in healthcare, transport, water supply and sanitation.

“Our intent really is to help them because we want to make sure that the projects that are implemented are viable and because they would be locking in their budget and resources for several years if they enter into a PPP project. So, we want to make sure that everything is transparent, it’s economically viable, and it would be a safe investment for government resources,” she said.

Meanwhile, as the amended implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Build-Operate-Transfer law took effect yesterday, the government is hopeful this would lead to more viable PPP projects.

The amendments resulted from a public consultation with the private sector.

“The PPP Center is hopeful that the amended IRR will speed up the process of doing viable PPPs and bring in more jobs and help deliver better services to the public,” Hernandez said.