More LGUs now into PPPs

DILG Officer-in-Charge Catalino S. Cuy said he is pleased that LGUs are actively engaging with the private sector in carrying out local development projects for the people. (Photo by Philippine Information Agency – Philippine Information Agency, Public Domain)

MANILA — More local government units (LGUs) are now engaging in public-private partnerships (PPPs) to improve their competitiveness and promote ease of doing business in their localities, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has noted.

The DILG recognized on Friday select LGUs for what it considers exemplified efforts in implementing PPP projects, even prior to the launch of the department’s Public-Private Partnership for the People Initiative for Local Governments (LGU P4) program.

DILG Officer-in-Charge Catalino S. Cuy said he is pleased that LGUs are actively engaging with the private sector in carrying out local development projects for the people.

“This is local autonomy at work. Local governments are now making change happen in their own localities and relying on their own resources and efforts by engaging with the civil society and through active partnerships with the private sector,” Cuy said in a statement.

The LGU P4 program is a vehicle for the private sector to participate in government projects for the provision of infrastructure and social services at the local level.

The DILG has developed an LGU P4 portal or database, where there will be an exchange of information and best practices on PPP between LGUs and the business sector, including maps of PPP projects, project profiles, and summary of information of the projects.

The 10 LGUs that were given special awards at the Selah Garden Hotel in Pasay City are: Manila City for its Manila Dialysis Center; Valenzuela City for its Valenzuela Town Center; Mandaluyong City for its Public Market; Piddig, Ilocos Norte for the Convergence Initiative through Public-Private Partnership; Cauayan City, Isabela for its Primark Town Center; Batangas City for its Multi-Purpose Transport Terminal and Commercial Complex; Legazpi City, Albay for its Legazpi City Grand Central Terminal; Ozamis City, Misamis Occidental for its Unitop General Merchandise; South Cotabato province for its Friendly Drugs, Health Plus Project; and Butuan City for its Slaughterhouse Rehabilitation.

Cuy said the awarded LGUs would serve as models to other LGUs that might want to enter into an agreement with the private sector.

“Initially, 10 successful PPP stories were documented and consolidated to enable other LGUs to learn from their experiences in working with the private sector on their PPP projects,” he said.

The 10 LGUs were assessed and evaluated by the DILG regional offices in five areas: sustainability, impact on the economy, operational/financial/technical/environmental efficiency and safety, LGU and beneficiaries’ satisfaction of the project, and the relationship of the LGU and private sector partner.

Only projects that have been in existence for three years were assessed and evaluated.