Rama to educate cities on importance of PPP

CEBU, Philippines —  As president of League of Cities in the Philippines, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is aiming to spread awareness of the importance of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) among the member cities.

This is in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s call to the local government units (LGUs) to engage in more PPPs as a means of funding their projects.

PPPs are contractual agreements between the government and the private sector. The private sector is allowed to construct, run, and maintain public infrastructure projects under a PPP plan, as well as offer services that are typically provided by the government.

Rama cited the recently built Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) and the current Carbon Public Market Redevelopment Project as two examples of PPPs that have succeeded.

The CCLEX is the country’s tallest and longest bridge, built by Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation at no cost to the government, and it was officially opened to the public on April 30, 2022.

On the other hand, the Carbon Market project is a 50-year joint venture between the city government and Cebu2World Development Corporation. This addresses both the infrastructure expansion of the entire market district as well as the modernization of the 100-year-old public market.

“That is why we need to educate them on this matter because it is all about capacity building and our mayors need to be equipped with the basic knowledge so that we can empower them as well,” Rama said.

He expressed optimism that throughout President Marcos' six-year term, economic recovery, infrastructure development, and digital transformation will all be accomplished.

“We have to aim high because our president is a visionary. With President Bongbong Marcos taking the lead, we are in the right direction and I am very sure that we will soar high,” he said. — Shaina Fame Marie P. Mabatid, UV Intern, GMR (FREEMAN)