US infra consulting firm upbeat on PH prospects

US-based AECOM, a global infrastructure and engineering consulting firm, is keen on doing more business in the Philippines and participating in the government’s bid to usher in a golden age of infrastructure.

In a recent interview with Inquirer, AECOM president for Asia-Pacific Sean Chiao said the Philippines had the potential to plan an attractive story, smartly implement the PPP (public-private partnership) strategy and show returns both in financial and social aspects.

“But you have to be careful in investment strategy. It’s not only infrastructure but infrastructure to make environment better, where you have a reasonable return and is also a great benefit to the citizens,” Chiao said.

Around the world, he said there was huge demand for urbanization, giving rise to integrated infrastructure projects like airport cities or port cities.

AECOM Philippines president Arnel Casanova said the group would be interested in all of the infrastructure projects in the country, like railways, airports and seaports.

“We intend to help the government and even the private sector deliver the challenge of infrastructure in the Philippines,” said Casanova, formerly president of state-controlled Bases Conversion Development Authority.

Aecom typically participates in infrastructure projects as a consultant of the government or part of the consortia implementing certain projects.

Chiao, who is based in Hong Kong, was recently in town for the debut of “Imagine 2060: Delivering Tomorrow’s Cities Together,” a three-year partnership with non-profit institution Asia Society to bring together a group of local and international leaders in urban design, infrastructure and public policy to imagine a long-term vision for key cities around the world. After Manila, the series will see similar events in Sydney, Los Angeles, New York and Hong Kong.

“We brought the global premier to Manila because we see so much potential for the city, given its history, its significance to the Philippines and Asia,” Chiao said during the forum. —DORIS DUMLAO-ABADILLA