PPP Center pushes enhanced cooperation with Japan

MANILA, Philippines — The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center has partnered with the Organization for PPP Promotion Support (OPPS) to enhance cooperation between the Philippines and Japan in encouraging infrastructure investments.

Under the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed last May 11, the PPP Center and OPPS committed to work together for sustainable social and economic growth in both countries and promote the Marcos administration’s Build Better More infrastructure program.

PPP Center executive director Ma. Cynthia Hernandez said the partnership marks a milestone in the relations between the two nations.

“The Philippine government looks forward to our continued partnerships and advancing our shared goals of PPP promotion,” Hernandez said.

The PPP Center serves as the central coordinating and monitoring agency for all PPP projects in the Philippines, while the OPPS was established with the aim of improving Japan’s current PPP or private finance initiatives to increase prospective business opportunities and for sharing of information and ideas.

OPPS serves as a bridge between the private and public sector.

“I believe that this MOU would strengthen the mutual cooperation between two organizations and contribute to fostering PPP investment,” Amano Yusuke, deputy minister for international projects of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan said.

According to OPPS vice president Uemura Kimikazu, the partnership between the PPP Center and OPPS would make the relationship between Japan and Philippines much stronger.

Amid its tight fiscal space, the Philippine government is looking at tapping the private sector through PPPs for the implementation of infrastructure projects.

Last March, the National Economic and Development Authority Board chaired by President Marcos approved the list of infrastructure flagship projects (IFP) worth P9 trillion.

The IFPs would be prioritized under the government’s annual budget preparation and enjoy expedited approval processes consistent with current legal frameworks.

Of the 194 flagship projects, 45 are to be financed through PPPs.