The Duterte administration is taking public-private partnerships to the regions, through the establishment of PPP Knowledge Corners in 15 regions nationwide.
In a news statement, the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) said the Knowledge Corners will be setup in Neda regional offices across the country.
This will help step up the uptake of PPPs in the regions and provide the PPP Center a regional presence.
“We recognize the essential role that PPPs will play to support the success of the government’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ program. One of the recent strategic thrusts of the PPP program is focused on project development at the local level or at the LGUs [local government units],” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said.
Pernia, likewise, underscored the Duterte administration’s commitment to spread out economic growth to other regions.
Of the administration’s 75 flagship infrastructure projects, 50 will be rolled out in the regions outside of Metro Manila.
“This LGU PPP strategy builds on the administration’s thrust to expand development in the regions and spread economic growth outside Metro Manila,” Pernia said.
The Knowledge Corners will serve as information hubs on PPPs, where LGUs, government implementing agencies and other stakeholders can get accurate and updated information and knowledge on PPP projects.
They can also have access to all the PPP Center’s services to help them develop and implement bankable PPP projects.
Pernia said putting up the PPP Knowledge Corners will support the government’s intensified efforts to help develop and implement PPPs at the local level, a key in the PPP Center’s LGU PPP strategy.
The LGU PPP strategy is the PPP Center’s focused assistance to LGUs, through capacity building and technical assistance in pursuing bankable local PPP projects.
Also part of the strategy is to foster stronger collaboration among local public or private capacity building institutions and other critical local development stakeholders.
“We are approaching this with a spirit of cooperation and collaboration,” PPP Center chief Ferdinand A. Pecson said in the same news statement.
The Neda has regional offices in Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao region, Soccksargen and Caraga region.