MRT - LRT Common Station

Jan 18, 2017. Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade today led the signing of the memorandum of agreement that would pave the way for the construction of the common station that will connect LRT1, MRT 3 and MRT 7. Ayala Chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said, “Bringing the private and public sector together to address the pressing problems we have is the perfect example of leadership from the government in bringing us all in the private sector together to build facility for a common good.”
The agreement was signed by Gen. Reynaldo Berroya (Ret.); LRMC’s Manuel Pangilinan and Rogelio Singson; ULC’s Ramon Ang and Lorenzo Formoso III; DPWH Sec. Mark Villar; SMPH’s Hans Sy and Jeffrey Lim, NTDCC/ALI’s Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and Bernard Vincent Dy.

Smart, GMA Network get 25-year franchise renewal By Jovee Marie de la Cruz - JANUARY 16, 2017

The House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading two measures renewing for another 25 years the franchises granted to Smart Communications and GMA Network.
The franchises of Smart Communications and GMA Network will respectively expire on March 27 and 20.
House Bill 4637 seeks to amend Republic Act (RA) 7294, or “an act granting Smart Information Technologies Inc. a franchise to establish, install, maintain, lease and operate integrated telecommunications/computer/electronics services and stations throughout the Philippines for public domestic and international telecommunications, and for other purposes.”
Under the bill, Smart Communications and its successors or assignees shall be liable to pay the same taxes on their real estate, buildings and personal property, exclusive of this franchise, as other persons or corporations that are now or hereafter may be required by law to pay, except radio telecommunications and electronic communications equipment, machinery and spare parts needed in connection with the business of the grantee, which shall be exempt from customs duties, tariffs and other taxes, as well as those declared exempt in this section.
It added that the grantee, its successors or assignees shall pay a value-added tax on all gross receipts of the business transacted under this franchise by the grantee, its successors or assignees in the Philippines in lieu of any and all taxes of any kind, nature or description levied, established or collected by an authority whatsoever, including, but not limited to, city, municipal, provincial or national, from which the grantee is hereby expressly exempted effective from the date of the approval of this act.
The bill said failure of Smart to submit requisite annual report to Congress shall be penalized by a fine in the amount of P500 per working day of noncompliance. The fine shall be collected by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) from the delinquent franchise grantee separate from the reportorial penalties imposed by the NTC.
Meanwhile, House Bill 4631 said subject to the provisions of the Constitution and applicable laws, rules and regulation the franchise granted to GMA Network, its successors or assignees under RA 7252 to construct, install, establish, operate and maintain for commercial purposes and in the public interest radio and television broadcasting stations in the Philippines, including digital television system, operation of any station or facility in the interest of public safety, security and public welfare or to authorize the temporary use and operation thereof by any agency of the government, upon due compensation to the grantee, for the use of the stations or facilities during the period when they shall be so operated.
“This franchise shall be in effect for 25 years from the effectivity of this act, unless sooner revoked or canceled. In the event the grantee fails to operate continuously for two years, this franchise shall be deemed ipso facto revoked,” the bill added.
The two bills will be submitted to the Senate for its own deliberations.

House passes Smart franchise extension

THE House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading the measure seeking to extend the franchise of Smart Communications, Inc., which expires this year, by another 25 years.
During Monday’s session, 221 solons voted in favor of House Bill (HB) 4637, which extends Smart’s franchise for another 25 years, while 10 voted against.

The bill introduced several amendments to Republic Act 7294, which originally granted Smart a 25-year legislative franchise in 1992.

Under the original franchise, Smart was required to make a public offering of at least 30% of its authorized capital stock in any securities exchange in the country within two years from effectivity of the act.

However, this was changed under HB 4637 with the addition of the phrase: “unless the grantee is wholly owned by a publicly listed company.” This effectively exempts Smart, a unit of listed PLDT, Inc., from the initial public offering requirement.

A new “equality clause” was also added to Smart’s legislative franchise bill.

“If any franchise for telecommunications services awarded or granted by Congress of the Philippines or any amendment or revision to any franchise for telecommunications services, subsequent to the approval of this Act, provide terms, privileges, exemptions, exceptions and conditions that are more favorable and beneficial than those contained in or otherwise granted under this Act, then the same terms, privileges, exemptions, exceptions, or conditions, shall, ipso facto, accrue to the herein grantee and be deemed part of this act,” the equality clause read.

The measure also exempts Smart from paying Customs duties, tariffs and taxes on radio telecommunications and electronic communications equipment.

“(Smart) shall be liable to pay the same taxes on their real estate, buildings and personal property, exclusive of this franchise, as other persons or corporations which are now or hereafter may be required by law to pay, except radio telecommunications and electronic communications equipment, machinery and spare parts needed in connection with the business of the grantee which shall be exempt from customs duties, tariffs and other taxes,” the amended Section 9 read.

HB 4367 also requires Smart to inform Congress of “any sale, lease, transfer, grant of usufruct, or assignment of franchise or the rights or privileges, acquired thereunder or the merger or transfer of the controlling interest of the grantee, within 60 days after the completion of the transaction.” Smart’s failure to report the change of ownership to Congress “renders the franchise ipso facto revoked,” the bill stated.

The House of Representatives had approved Smart’s franchise extension on third and final reading during the 16th Congress, but the Senate did not pass the counterpart measure.

Meanwhile, the House also approved on third and final reading the measure extending GMA Network, Inc.’s franchise by another 25 years.

Smart and GMA’s legislative franchise bills will now be sent to the Senate.

Smart is the mobile unit of PLDT, Inc. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. -- Raynan F. Javil

House approves new franchises for Smart, GMA Network

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading bills granting fresh 25-year franchises to Smart Communications Inc. and GMA Network Inc.
House Bill 4631, which renewed GMA Network's franchise, was approved in 229-0 vote.
House Bill 4637 on the other hand grants a new franchise to Smart. The vote was 221-10.
The bills will be deliberated upon at the Senate. Should these be approved by both Houses, the bills will be sent to President Duterte for his approval.
Public Utilities are not allowed to operate by the 1987 Constitution unless they have a franchise from Congress as these use state owned frequencies. -- reports from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News

PNP beefs up security for Feast of Black Nazarene

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has beefed up security measures for the Feast of Santo Nino de Cebu on Sunday (Jan. 15).

The “heightened alert status” of the PNP will remain up with the expected millions of devotees from “all walks of life” of the Santo Nino de Cebu, particularly during the gathering.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Oscar Albayalde on Wednesday said there is no direct threats to security during the duration of the gathering.

Nevertheless, Albayalde said that as part of the security measures, the NCRPO has again recommended the installation of “signal jammer” in the crowds during the annual gathering

The bringing of backpacks are also prohibited for those who would join the gatheringbecause they will be approached by policemen.

The NCRPO will deploy more than 2,000 policemen who will be assigned in the gathering.

http://northboundasia.com/2017/01/04/pnp-beefs-security-feast-black-nazarene/#.WG44Fvl97IU

AFP bares security plans for Black Nazarene procession

JUST like last year, signal jammers will be installed along the key routes of the procession of the Black Nazarene (Translacion), in time for the celebration of the annual feast on January 9.

According to Colonel Llewelyn Binasoy of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the installation of signal jammers is part of the measures to be implemented during the 2017 Traslacion.

"As part of security preparations of Traslacion 2017, all areas, route of procession there would be no signals so I hope you understand it is part of the security preparations," he said Wednesday in a media briefing for the annual event.

The military official noted that the areas in Manila where the mass and procession will be held will be declared as a "no fly zone" even for drones.

"We ask from media and public not to have their drones in the air," he said. Binasoy said that AFP personnel will also be deployed in Rizal Park, Quiapo, Malate to provide security and to help maintain peace and order. On the other hand, Ensign Mozart Cumbe of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) appealed to the public, especially those who will be joining the procession, to refrain from jumping off the Jones Bridge, part of the closed route going to the Basilica (Quiapo church).

Cumbe noted that those who will be caught under the bridge by PCG's river marshal and Philippine National Police (PNP) maritime police will be investigated.

"Sila ay iimbestigahan ng ating river marshals at PNP maritime police. Kung hindi talaga maiwasan mahulog o tumalon. Nandyan ang PCG sa ilalim para antabayanan sila," he added.

Cumbe said the incidents of people jumping off the bridge have decreased in recent years.

Millions of participants are expected to join the Annual Feast of Santo Nino de Cebu which will start at the Quirino Grandstand and will end at the Basilica. (FP/Sunnex)

Black Nazarene image in a pushcart paraded to remind devotees not to litter

The EcoWaste Coalition, together with Buklod Tao, exhorted the staunch followers of Our Father Jesus Nazarene to express their devotion in a manner that will also reflect their concern for the well-being of Mother Earth, the giver and sustainer of life.

“We call upon the devoted sons and daughters of the Nazarene to conduct the re-enactment of the Traslacion from Luneta to Quiapo next Monday in a trash-less way,” said Ochie Tolentino, Zero Waste Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition.

“We request the tens of thousands of devotees who will take part in the grand procession not to leave a trail of garbage as they profess their faith or fulfill their sacred vows,” she reiterated.

Tolentino recalled that the commemoration of the Traslacion for the past so many years has been tarnished by the tons of garbage left in Quirino Grandstand and parade ground in Luneta, the seven-kilometer processional route, and Plaza Miranda and adjoining streets in Quiapo.

For example, the Metro Manila Development Authority hauled some 30 truckloads of trash during the Black Nazarene feast in 2016 (approximately 315 tons) and 20 truckloads in 2015 (approximately 210 tons).

To hammer home their call for a trash-less Traslacion, the EcoWaste Coalition and Buklod Tao members paraded around Quiapo a replica of the Black Nazarene in a “kariton” or pushcart.

“The pushcart is typically used by informal waste recyclers to collect recyclables from our neighborhoods.  It is a tangible symbol of our effort as humans to deal with our discards in an environmentally-sound way via recycling.  By putting the Black Nazarene in a pushcart, we make a statement about the ‘godliness’ in recycling and the need for the general public, particularly the devotees, to not to litter, recycle and reduce what we throw away,” Tolentino explained.  

After a short program in front of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, the groups walked around Quiapo with the pushcart to prayerfully engage the public to support a trash-less Traslacion.

The groups specifically enjoined vendors to do their share in reducing the litter along the processional trail by minding their rubbish.

The groups further urged barangay and purok leaders, particularly in the Quiapo district, to take extra measures to prevent and reduce littering during the feast day.

“As frontline implementors of Republic Act 9003, which, among other things, prohibits littering and  dumping, we urge Quiapo’s local leaders not to allow their communities to drown in garbage and to make January 9 a special occasion to enforce the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act,” Tolentino said.

"A trash-less Traslacion will be in line with the commemoration of the national Zero Waste Month this January," she emphasized.

"A cleaner Traslacion will also be in step with the theme for this year's celebration ("Pag-ibig ang Buklod ng Ganap na Pagkakaisa") as caring for the environment is integral to forming loving relationships and communities," she added. (EcoWaste Coalition)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1141483515263/black-nazarene-image-in-a-pushcart-paraded-to-remind-devotees-not-to-litter#sthash.frpfEWXv.dpuf

MNTC wants to build expressway from Sangley Airport to CAVITEx

THE Metro Pacific group is proposing to build an expressway that will connect Sangley Airport in Cavite to its Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEx).

“Segment 5 is a 9.80 kilometers (km.), 4-lane divided expressway proposed as a replacement to the original Segment 5 alignment which was taken over by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and now designated as the Centennial Road,” the project brief from the Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) showed.

The tollway unit of infrastructure giant Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) said the proposed link will connect CAVITEx to Rosario, Cavite and the Sangley Airport. Sangley Airport is located in San Antonio, Cavite City, on a peninsula jutting out into Manila Bay.

MNTC said DPWH did not issue an objection letter for the project.

Preparation of the pre-feasibility study is done, while the project proposal to be submitted to the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) is currently being put together.

In late December, the government rolled out the P552.867-million Sangley Airport Development project, inviting parties to bid for the project that will transfer general aviation services from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to Sangley, with the intention of immediately decongesting air traffic in the country’s main gateway. An invitation to pre-qualify to bid for the Sangley Airport project showed the contract involves rehabilitation, an asphalt overlay over the existing runway, reblocking of pavement, construction of ramp and drainage system, the construction of four hangars, a passenger terminal building and other facilities.

“Phase I of the project shall involve the rehabilitation of the existing 2.4 km. runway, construction of ramp, drainage system, four hangars with a floor area of roughly 1,600 sq.m. each, construction of an 800 sq.m. passenger terminal building and with offices and vehicular parking area and other building facilities,” it added.

The approved budget for the contract is P552.867 million -- included in the P3.35-trillion budget for 2017 -- with a project duration of 270 days.

Earlier in December, the Tieng-Sy consortium that earlier proposed a $50-billion project to develop an airport and economic zone off Sangley Point, had a similar proposal to use the Danilo Atienza Air Base in Cavite to immediately decongest the NAIA, while awaiting the construction of a new airport.
All-Asia Resources & Reclamation Corp., (ARRC) -- which teamed up with the Sy family’s Belle Corp. -- said the company resubmitted to the government its P1-billion proposal to redevelop the air base, an unsolicited proposal seen as “more immediate” which was previously part of its Philippine Global Gateway project submitted to the government on Aug. 1.

Last month, MNTC also submitted to the government an unsolicited proposal for an elevated expressway along C-5 road in Quezon City, which is seen to decongest the traffic in the area as it will serve as an alternate route to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), bypassing EDSA and the Balintawak toll plaza.

MNTC is a subsidiary of MPIC, which is one of three Philippine subsidiaries of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being PLDT, Inc. and Philex Mining Corp. Hastings Holdings, Inc. -- a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc. -- maintains interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. -- I.C.C. Delavin

Govt prepares auction for LRT-1 rail coach deal

posted December 30, 2016 at 08:20 pm by  Darwin G. Amojelar
The Transportation Department has invited Japanese companies to bid for the P30-billion contract to supply 120 brand-new light rail vehicles for the oldest metro rail transit in Southeast Asia.
The agency said in an invitation to bid the project would be funded through a loan extended by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The Philippine government and JICA signed the loan agreement on March 27, 2013.
The Transportation Department said only engineering, procurement and construction companies of Japanese nationality were eligible to participate in the bidding pursuant to the rules for official development assistance funding.
The winning bidder will cover the coaches  design, production, verification, delivery, testing, commissioning, technical support materials associated with the operation and maintenance of the vehicles and training for maintenance staff, engineers and operators.
The agency said interested parties can buy bid documents for the supply contract from Dec. 28 to April 13, 2017. The submission and opening of bids are set on April 13 next year.
The 120 LRVs will be configured in 30 four-car train sets to allow the rail line to accommodate up to 750,000  passengers daily.
The Transportation Department in March declared the bidding for 120 LRVs a failure after no offers were received by the agency from Japanese firms.
Marubeni Corp. and Sumitomo Corp. earlier expressed interest to participate in the auction for the procurement of 120 brand-new cars for LRT Line 1.
The government allocated P30 billion for the 120 new coaches for the LRT Line 1 under the P64.9-billion LRT Line 1 Cavite extension project, which was awarded to Light Rail Manila Corp.
LRMC will construct the Cavite extension over the next four and a half years, making the entire line operational by the fourth quarter of 2020.
LRMC, a joint venture between Ayala Corp. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp., has been operating and maintaining the existing LRT-1 system since the functions were handed over by Light Rail Transit Authority in September last year.
LRTA remains the owner and regulator of the railway while the Transportation Department is the implementing agency of the 32-year public-private partnership concession agreement with LRMC.
The consortium would spend over P40 billion to rehabilitate and expand LRT Line 1.
Eight new stations will be provided with three intermodal facilities across Pasay City, Parañaque City, Las Piñas City and Bacoor City, Cavite. 

List of primary local government units of the Philippines

1. Caloocan
2. Las Piñas
3. Makati
4. Malabon
5. Mandaluyong
6. Manila
7. Marikina
8. Muntinlupa
9. Navotas
10. Novaliches
11. Obando
12. Parañaque
13. Pasay
14. Pasig
15. Pateros
16. Quezon City
17. San Pedro
18. San Juan
19. Taguig
20. Valenzuela
21. Ilocos Norte
22. Ilocos Sur
23. La Union
24. Alaminos
25. Dagupan
26. Urdaneta
27. Pangasinan
28. Abra
29. Apayao
30. Baguio
31. Benguet
32. Ifugao
33. Kalinga
34. Mountain Province
35. Batanes
36. Tuguegarao City
37. Cagayan
38. Cauayan City
39. Ilagan City
40. Santiago City
41. Isabela
42. Quirino
43. Nueva Vizcaya
44. Angeles City
45. Mabalacat City
46. City of San Fernando
47. Pampanga
48. Tarlac City
49. Tarlac
50. Olongapo City
51. Zambales
52. Balanga City
53. Bataan
54. Malolos City
55. Meycauayan City
56. City of San Jose Del Monte
57. Bulacan
58. Cabanatuan City
59. Nueva Ecija
60. Aurora
61. Rizal
62. Cavite City
63. Imus City
64. Dasmariñas City
65. General Trias City
66. Trece Martires City
67. Cavite
68. Biñan
69. Santa Rosa
70. Cabuyao
71. Calamba
72. San Pablo
73. Laguna
74. Batangas City
75. Lipa City
76. Tanauan City
77. Batangas
78. Lucena City
79. Tayabas City
80. Quezon
81. Alabat Island
82. Dumaran Island
83. Polillo Island
84. Puerto Princesa
85. Busuanga Island
86. Palawan
87. Lubang Island
88. Occidental Mindoro
89. Calapan City
90. Oriental Mindoro
91. Marinduque
92. Romblon
93. Sibuyan Island
94. Camarines Norte
95. Naga City
96. Camarines Sur
97. Albay
98. Catanduanes
99. Sorsogon City
100. Sorsogon
101. Burias
102. Masbate
103. Ticao
104. Aklan
105. Antique
106. Capiz
107. Iloilo City
108. Iloilo
109. Guimaras
110. Bacolod City
111. Kabankalan City
112. Negros Occidental
113. Negros Oriental
114. Cebu City
115. Lapu-lapu City
116. Mandaue City
117. Camotes Islands
118. Cebu
119. Siquijor
120. Bohol
121. Panglao Island
122. Biliran
123. Tacloban City
124. Ormoc City
125. Leyte
126. Western Leyte
127. Southern Leyte
128. Panaon Island
129. Northern Samar
130. Eastern Samar
131. Calbayog City
132. Catbalogan City
133. Samar
134. Zamboanga del Norte
135. Zamboanga Occidental
136. Zamboanga del Sur
137. Zamboanga Sibugay
138. Zamboanga City
139. Isabela City
140. Misamis Occidental
141. Cagayan de Oro City
142. Gingoog
143. Misamis Oriental
144. Camiguin
145. Iligan City
146. Lanao del Norte
147. Malaybalay City
148. Bukidnon
149. Tagum City
150. Davao del Norte
151. Compostela Valley
152. Davao City
153. Davao del Sur
154. Davao Occidental
155. Davao Oriental
156. General Santos City
157. South Cotabato
158. Sarangani
159. Cotabato City
160. Cotabato
161. Sultan Kudarat
162. Butuan City
163. Agusan del Norte
164. Agusan del Sur
165. Dinagat Islands
166. Siargao Islands
167. Surigao del Norte
168. Surigao del Sur
169. Surigao Oriental
170. Maranaw
171. Lanao del Sur
172. Shariff Kabunsuan
173. Maguindanao
174. Basilan
175. Sulu
176. Tawi-Tawi

Bay Area ‘iconic developments’ driving luxury residential demand – KMC Savills 0 BY CATHERINE TALAVERA, TMT ON DECEMBER 28, 2016

HIGH-END “iconic developments” in the Bay Area such as the Conrad Hotel, City of Dreams, and the new Okada Manila complex are driving demand for luxury residential property in the emerging district, real estate services firm KMC Savills Inc. said.
In a recent interview, KMC Savills Inc. head of research Antton Nordberg told The Manila Times that there is a demand for luxury residential properties in the Bay Area, particularly in the Entertainment City complex.
“…in the entertainment complex, they [developers]also have residential plans and those tend to be in the higher end,” Nordberg said.
In a media briefing earlier this month, KMC Savills managing director Michael McCullough suggested that developers are scaling up the quality of their projects in the Bay Area.
He emphasized that this is driven by the “iconic developments” in the area such as the Conrad Hotel, Okada Manila, and City of Dreams.
“Apart from the iconic projects being built there, one thing we will see is a lot more premium residential offerings,” McCullough said.
“So I think we’ll see more luxury properties being built in that area,” McCullough added.
Nordberg noted that the Bay Area’s luxury residential market would probably have the same targets as the luxury residential markets of Makati and Bonifacio Global City.
“So, local business owners as well as foreign investors. In Bay Area, you will probably see highrollers [looking for]permanent residences,” Nordberg said.
McCullough earlier expressed his optimism for the Bay Area, largely due to infrastructure development in the area.
“The whole reason we like the Bay Area so much is because of the infrastructure coming online,” McCullough said.
Among the big ticket infrastructure projects serving the Bay Area are road projects such as the Cavite Expressway, NAIA Expressway, NLEX-SLEX Connector Road, and Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3.
McCullough noted that the LRT-Line 1 Cavite Extension, the South Integrated Transport System and the Southwest Integrated Transport System will add additional connections for the Bay Area.
Nordberg also pointed out that another selling point of the Bay Area is the dynamic mix of property sector it offers.
“It’s a very nice mix. It’s very dynamic. It has an entertainment component, it has a retail component, a growing residential community, and a growing office sector. Everything is there,” Nordberg said.

BSP removes SBL relief extended to PPPs By Lawrence Agcaoili (The Philippine Star) | Updated December 28, 2016 - 12:00am

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has lifted the additional 25 percent lending cap for single borrowers undertaking major infrastructure projects under the public private partnership (PPP) program.
The BSP is no longer extending the effectivity of the additional 25 percent single borrowers’ limit (SBL) specifically available to banks and quasi banks as temporary regulatory relief to jump-start financing for PPP projects.
The relief launched in 2010 for a period of three years and has been extended for another three years is set to expire today. With the lifting of the regulatory relief, the BSP would again restrict each bank’s exposure to a single borrower to only 25 percent of its capital.
“The decision of the Monetary Board to allow the additional SBL window to close takes into consideration the significant systemic risks from credit risk concentration if the regulatory relief is further prolonged. The decision is thus firmly in line with the financial stability objectives of the BSP,” it said.
The additional ceiling was provided to subsidiaries and affiliates of banks to support the financing of productive sectors and projects that form part of the priority programs under the Philippine Development Plan/Public Investment Plan of the previous administration.
The BSP refined its regulatory guidelines to allow companies the flexibility to engage in different PPP-related project finance activities structured as self-contained special purpose entities (SPE).
The BSP clarified SPE would be treated as independent entities subject to its own SBL if the project cash flows are properly ring-fenced despite the fact that it may fall under the definition of an affiliate.
As part of the refinements, the central bank now exempts the loans of banks and quasi banks to its related parties for the purpose of project finance from the 30 percent unsecured individual ceiling during the pre-operational phase of a PPP project.
Furthermore, monetary authorities also considered the entry of new foreign banks into the country providing additional potential funding sources in addition to syndicated loans that may be structured by existing banks.
Loan syndication spreads the credit risk exposure arising from big-ticket projects.
 “Furthermore, PPP projects that are already operational can be refinanced through the issuance of project bonds in the domestic capital market to open new long-term funding for infrastructure and other similar projects,” the BSP said.
The BSP has so far given nine foreign banks the green light to establish their presence in the country after the limit on the entry of foreign banks was lifted through Republic Act 10641.
Mulilateral lending agencies including the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the newly formed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) could also help fund PPP projects.
The government has awarded 15 projects worth more than P371 billion since the scheme was launched in 2010. Completed projects include the P17.93 billion NAIA expressway phase 2 project, the P9.89 billion PPP for school infrastructure phase 1, the P2.23 billion Muntinlupa-Cavite expressway project and the P1.72 billion automated fare collection system.
PPP projects under construction are the P69.3 billion MRT-7 project, the P37.43 billion Metro Manila Skyway stage 3 project, the P17.52 billion Mactan-Cebu international airport passenger terminal building, and the P3.86 billion PPP for school infrastructure project phase 2.
Projects under pre-construction are the P64.9 billion LRT-1 Cavite extension, the P35.43 billion Cavite-Laguna expressway, the P24.41 billion Bulacan bulk water supply project, the P23.2 billion NLEX-SLEX connector road, the P5.2 billion South integrated transport system project, and the P1.59 billion civil registry system information technology project.
The Duterte administration has identified 17 PPP projects to catch up with the country’s infrastructure backlog. These include the P171 billion South line of the North-South railway project, the P108.2 billion regional airports project, among others.