New PPP no-nos for ‘Build, Build, Build’: Guarantees, subsidies

The Duterte economic team will issue a set of guidelines for public-private partnership (PPP) projects named on the longer “Build, Build, Build” list to ensure that contracts are not detrimental to the government.

“We want to make sure that PPP projects are going to benefit the people,” said Socioeconomic Plannning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia.

He said there would be no government guarantees, subsidies or any provision akin to material adverse government actiob, or Maga.

Pernia said guidelines for PPP projects will be released soon alongside criteria for projects in the updated Build, Build, Build list consisting of 100 “flagship” infrastructure projects.

Last Wednesday, presidential adviser for flagship programs and projects Vivencio Dizon said Aboitiz Group’s unsolicited proposal to operate and maintain the New Panglao Bohol International Airport, the San Miguel Corp. (SMC)-led Bulacan International Airport, and the rehabilitation of the country’s main gateway Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) by seven conglomerates were among the 26 PPP projects on the new Build, Build, Build list.

Dizon said other “major” unsolicited airport PPP projects were also put on the list.

The earlier list of 75 projects had only nine with private sector participation—eight PPPs and one to be implemented by a private firm.

The interagency Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee (ICC-CabCom) and the Committee on Infrastructure (InfraCom) on Wednesday approved the new list./TSB