PPP Center stages N. American road show

MANILA, Philippines–The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center, the main coordinating agency for the Aquino administration’s keystone infrastructure program, started Tuesday a North American road show in a bid to draw interests for upcoming deals in its pipeline for 2015.

Information posted on the PPP Center’s website showed that the Philippine government team was scheduled to meet with potential investors in Toronto, Canada, on Oct. 14 and with businessmen in Montreal on Oct. 15.

The road show will continue in New York and Washington in the United States on Oct. 16 to 17.

The move follows investors’ briefings held in Tokyo, Japan; Singapore and Europe. PPP Center executive director Cosette Canilao said the agency was aiming to publish 16 PPP deals next year, citing the need to attract more global international investors given the need for investments and technical expertise.

One of the 16 projects is the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System’s New Centennial Water Supply Project, which is worth P18.72 billion, or $416 million, and is now under procurement stage.

“The New Centennial Water Supply Project will ensure water security for the residents of Metro Manila,” Canilao said previously.

The PPP Center has so far awarded eight projects, including the P65-billion Light Rail Transit Line 1 extension to Cavite. The government said five of these PPP deals, including two tollroads in Metro Manila, will be finished by the time President Aquino steps down in 2016.