By EUGENE ADIONG
BACOLOD City — The first project under the public-private partnership scheme in Negros Occidental will start this year, an official of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center said.
The Talisay City Plaza Complex Heritage Restoration and Redevelopment Project will cost P198.29 million, said Eleazar Ricote, PPP Center national director.
It involves the redevelopment of the central public market into a mixed-use facility; restoration of the old city hall; and retention of neighborhood character through the adoption of architectural designs of the old Lizares Mansion, St. Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church, old city hall and rural bank.
Invitations to bid had already been released, Ricote said.
Another project eyed under the PPP scheme is the $208.98-million operation and maintenance of the Bacolod–Silay Airport.
PPP Center executive director Cosette Canilao earlier said the government plans to roll out 15 projects with a total worth of $14 billion — roughly P630 billion.
Contracts for the airports (Laguindingan, Bohol, Puerto Princesa, Davao, Bacolod and Iloilo) will give to the private sector the operation, maintenance and commercial management of the facilities, including future investments for capacity expansion, Canilao had said.
Ricote clarified that a PPP does not equate to the privatization of government-owned facilities and will not increase the cost of government services.
Under PPP, the private sector does not only fund the development of government-owned entities but also brings efficiency in technology and expertise to better serve the public, he said.
The scheme is necessary to fast-track government projects, too, Ricote said./PN
