THE Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center has pitched anew the development of infrastructure deals between the government and prospective investors, this time parading projects that are currently under construction, and those that paved way for improved services.
In a statement, the agency said there are currently seven projects with a cumulative cost of P150 billion that are under construction and are due for completion through 2020. Even with the economic managers now more keen on pursuing hybrid deals funded by taxpayers’ money and official development assistance, the agency is still actively promoting the key infrastructure program of the Aquino administration.
The seven projects under construction are the following: Mactan-Cebu International Airport New Passenger Terminal Building, Southwest Integrated Transport System (ITS) Project, Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 7, Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project (BBWSP), Civil Registry System-Information Technology Project (Phase II), PPP for School Infrastructure Project-Phase II and Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3.
In its statement, the agency highlighted the milestones these projects have achieved so far.
For instance, after GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. took over airport in the Queen City of the South, facilities have been improved, paving way for more airlines to launch flights to and from Cebu.
The rehab of the existing terminal and the construction of a new one are now halfway done. The project is due for completion in the second quarter of 2019.
It also cited developments in the Light Rail Transit Line 1 being undertaken by Light Rail Manila Corp. The company, led by Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and Ayala Corp., recently broke ground for the Cavite extension of the facility, and has just completed a P1-billion coach-rehab program.
The agency also bragged about the development on its school infrastructure project. Megawide Construction Corp. is nearly complete with the construction of 4,370 classrooms across the Philippines.
Megawide and WM Property Management Inc. have also started the construction of the Southwest ITS Project. It will be in Parañaque City, along the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway.
Luzon Clean Water Development Corp. is spearheading the development of the BBWSP, which aims to provide safe and reliable treated bulk water to 500,000 households in 569 barangays in various water districts of Bulacan.
Unisys Public Sector Services Corp. has also started with the construction of the service facility of the Civil Registry System. It is due for completion in September 2018. Skyway Stage 3 and MRT Line 7 are both unsolicited projects with ongoing construction. Both are being undertaken by companies under San Miguel Corp.
With Verna Mae Barrozo