Aquino launches first batch of Public-Private Partnership projects
President Benigno S. Aquino III officially launched on Monday the first batch of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects expected to stimulate the economy and provide thousands of employment opportunities.
In his speech at the launching of five PPP projects at the Development Bank of the Philippines in Makati City, the President said the projects lined up for bidding this year would provide job opportunities and stimulate economic growth.
“These projects will undoubtedly further stimulate our economy which has already experienced unprecedented success in recent months. With an estimated investment of $100 million lined up for bidding, these projects give us more reason to be optimistic,” the he said.
“When these projects are finally completed many of our citizens will benefit from this directly,” the President assured.
He thanked the PPP Center, the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation and Communications, Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Finance for preparing the infrastructure projects for public bidding. “These projects promise so much for our economy and to our people and they will play a vital role in our administrations fulfillment social contract with our people,” he said.
The projects launched today, according to the President are concrete steps and a timely beginning to show the world that change is not the word that politicians throw around.
On his scheduled state visit to Singapore and Indonesia, the President said his trip would provide opportunity for him to urge businessmen to invest in PPP projects.
The President is scheduled to leave Monday evening for a state visit to Indonesia. He will then proceed to Singapore Wednesday.
Present during the launching were Secretaries Cesar Purisima of the DOF, Rogelio Singson of the DPWH, Gregory Domingo of DTI, director general Cayetano Paderanga Jr. of NEDA, Jose De Jesus of the DOTC, PPP executive director Filomer Torio, and business sectors headed by PLDT chairman Manny V. Pangilinan.
The first batch of five infra projects are the following: LRT 1 extension/upgrading and privatization of Operations and Maintenance (O&M) and privatization of MRT 3 Operation and Maintenance (O&M), both up for public bidding this month (March); the Daang Hari Road - South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) link road project which is open for bidding on April; the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Expressway Phase 2 on May; and the SLEX and North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) link project on June.
The NAIA Expressway Phase II project will link Skyway and Manila-Cavite Coastal Expressway, providing vital access to NAIA Terminals 1, 2, and 3. The P10.59 billion project will benefit economic zones in Cavite through the quicker transportation of products to NAIA as well as the Manila Port.
The P21-billion NLEX-SLEX Connector involves the construction of an elevated expressway over the Philippine National Railway right of way from Caloocan City to Makati City. It aims to close the gap and complete the north-south Luzon industrial beltway transport axis by connecting NLEX and SLEX.
The Daang Hari-SLEX Link Road Project will build a toll road that will connect Bacoor, Cavite to the South Luzon Expressway, passing through the New Bilibid Prison Reservation in Muntinlupa City. The project, which will cost P1.6 billion, will complement the Cavite-Laguna-east-west highway and will provide additional access for the increasing traffic between Metro Manila and Cavite.
According to PPP Center, the NAIA Expressway Phase II and the NLEX-SLEX Connector will be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) while the Daang Hari-SLEX Link Road will be undertaken by the Department of Trade and Industry through the National Development Company (NDC). (PCOO)
New AFP Chief has Aquino's full trust, confidence
President Benigno Aquino III on Monday expressed his full trust and confidence on new Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Oban, saying he expects him to continue the reforms initiated by his predecessor, Gen. Ricardo David.
Speaking at the command turnover at Camp Aguinaldo, the President said Oban successfully fought insurgency in Pampanga when he was air force commander.
“He helped solve the problems there. Because of his achievements, his reforms while being the deputy chief of staff, I hope that he will continue the policies in the military as well as the programs left by Gen David. That is the reason why I chose him as the new chief of staff,” the President said.
The President thanked David, for helping him spearhead reforms in the government, noting that his first instruction was to bring back dignity to the armed services.
“My first assignment was to bring back the trust of the people to the armed forces just like what happened after Edsa. Now after 10 years; after a corrupt government, help me bring back the dignity to the armed forces, and an AFP that also takes care of the people,” he said.
The Chief Executive told the soldiers that the people expects a lot from them in ensuring peace and stability in the country. He encouraged the military personnel to join him in taking the right path.
“I’m ready to help and work with you do your duties. And those beyond your jurisdiction like corrupt local government officials, report them to me. Like many other government agencies, we will punish them,” he said.
To help the soldiers and their families, the President said his administration is studying the possibility of giving scholarships to a member of every soldier’s families, and support their education up to college.
For his part, Oban said he will carry out the recommendations of the Feliciano Commission to reform the Armed forces. These include transparency in logistics and procurement process as well as financial management. Other recommendations were boosting the morale and welfare of soldiers.
Oban also promised to speed up the AFP modernization program left by his predecessor. (PCOO)
PHL considering oil sharing deal with Japan, US
The Philippines may consider forging an “emergency oil-sharing agreement” with Japan or the United States to avert a looming oil crisis due to the continuing tensions in the Middle East.
Interviewed by reporters after the Change-of-Command ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo on Monday, President Benigno S. Aquino III said the government would consider the proposal despite an assurance by the energy department that there is enough supply of oil.
“We will consider that, but at the present time, the DOE and Trade secretaries told me that we have gotten guarantees from certain oil producing countries. In fact, there is a non-traditional supplier. And they were saying, ‘so long as you are ready to pay the price, we are ready to supply you,’” the President said.
He said the government is working on the 60-day stockpile to ensure a steady supply of oil in the country.
“The DOE together with the oil industry, and all the stakeholders are trying to come up with a guarantee that we will not have an interruption, even beyond the 60 days,” he said.
Given the volatility of the major oil producing countries, the government has to consider reconciling having enough oil and having too much of it at a high price, the President said
“Because the high price will have to be paid for by the consumers at some point in time,” he added.
A member of Congress proposed that the government forge an “emergency oil-sharing agreement” with either Japan or the US as a safety net for the looming oil crisis because of the continuing unrest in the Middle East.
The proposal includes entering into a “forward commercial storage agreement” with an oil-exporting country and building a state-owned petroleum reserve possibly through the Philippine National Oil Co., so that there will be enough supply during emergencies. (PCOO)
Aquino to raise joint South China Sea oil probe to ASEAN
President Benigno Aquino III on Monday said he may raise the issue of a joint exploration in the South China sea with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) when he visits Indonesia this week.
“I will be exploring the possibility,” the President said when asked by reporters about his view on a common Asean stand on exploration in the South China sea.
“Look at Reed Bank, the discovery there was sometime in the mid-‘70s. Within 2011, nobody is utilizing it. And it can be utilized now,” he said. “But again we are not able to exploit it because of the disputes. Maybe a joint exploration could be good and in the end we can resolve it.”
But the Chief Executive clarified that it was just an idea adding he hasn’t even talked about it with other members of his government. At the same time, he noted that the concept is how to accelerate the pace where every claimant country could benefit from the resources in the area.
Asked about the possibility of sending Henry Bensurto, the secretary general of the Commission on Maritime and Oceanic Affairs Secretariat to China to fix a recent misunderstanding over an alleged Chinese incursion in the Reed Bank basin, the President said he couldn’t give much detail.
The government has chosen to keep its silence on the issue due to its sensitive nature and other diplomatic concerns with China particularly the Filipino drug convicts who are about to be executed there.
“I cannot go into specific details. As you know, we don’t want to…example, those in the death row, we were advised they will be executed. We go there, we negotiate, we ask for consideration, they granted it at least for the stay of the execution. We understand it’s not a common practice,” the President said.
The Philippines has already asked China to explain the incursion of two Chinese patrol boats in west Palawan area. The patrols reportedly ordered an oil exploration vessel to leave the place. Philippine officials insisted that the area was well within the Philippine territory. There was no report of armed confrontation and the oil survey crew was unharmed
The Reed Bank basin covers about 71,000 sq km and is located about 250 km west of Palawan. Hydrocarbon occurrences recorded in the basin consist of gas as shown from clastic reservoirs.
Last month, the Philippine government gave a foreign gas exploration company the go-ahead to conduct studies in the Reed Bank basin near the disputed Kalayaan Islands off South China Sea. (PCOO)
