THE government may start the bidding process for more than 10 public-private partnership (PPP) projects in the next 12 months, according to PPP Center Executive Director Cosette V. Canilao.
The PPP deals to be bid out, Canilao said, include major rail and transportation projects to be undertaken by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and major road projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“We do now have a very robust pipeline and, out of that pipeline, we’ve identified several projects that we intend to roll out in the next 12 months. Included there are major railway and transport projects of the DOTC, as well as DPWH’s major road PPPs,” Canilao said at a panel discussion at the CFA Institute’s first Philippine Investment Forum. Canilao said to ensure the government will sustain the interest of investors and assure them of the state’s commitment to undertake these projects, the process of amending the Build Operate Transfer (BOT) law is being vigorously pursued.
She explained that the BOT law will be amended to become the PPP Act. This will, among others, institutionalize the Contingent Liability Fund through a line item in the national budget.
“Right now, what is contained in the 2015 budget is P20 billion to P30 billion, I think. Of course, it will have to increase as we roll out or implement more PPP projects,” Canilao said.
The PPP projects to be included, Canilao said, are the operation and maintenance contracts for six airports, as well as big-ticket projects like the subway to connect Bonifacio Global City, Mall of Asia and the Makati Central Business District.
Canilao added that the list may also include the recent National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Board approvals such as the Regional Prison Facilities through PPP and the Davao Sasa Port Modernization Project.
Another project that may also be included is the Motor Vehicle Inspection System, which is yet to be approved by the Neda Board pending the fulfillment of certain requirements.
Canilao also said the list will include the unsolicited proposal for the North Luzon Expressway-South Luzon Expressway Connector Road, the revival of the south line of the Philippine National Railways and the extension of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 to Dasmariñas, Cavite.