DOTr eyeing more private sector interest in privatization of key projects

Edsa Carousel (Photo from LTFRB)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced on Thursday plans to privatize some flagship transportation infrastructure projects in the country.

“We plan to invite as many private sector participation in our infrastructure projects, such as the privatization of the EDSA Carousel, the operation of our seaports, the privatization of 10 provincial airports, the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit project and many more,” said  DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista in a statement.

A number of business groups, labor unions and associations from the private sector have also endorsed the privatization of the Edsa busway system and called for quick reforms to the ownership and management of one of Metro Manila’s busiest public transit networks.

Public-Private Partnerships

Bautista likewise reiterated the DOTr’s plans to pursue Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), after the agency ran under budgetary constraints, which made the involvement of the private sector in finishing flagship programs “crucial.”

“Allow me to emphasize the need to undertake crucial transport infrastructure project in collaboration with the private sector,” Bautista said.

“We are therefore actively pursuing the Public-Private Partnership scheme to complete a number of these projects,” he added.

He explained that the government is “confident” that the private sector can help complete unfinished projects, further generating investments and employment in the process, while promoting transport connectivity and reducing logistics costs.

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