Senate ratifies bicam report on PPP bill

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 28) — The Senate on Wednesday ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) bill, which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said would address the "urgent need" to increase the participation of the private sector in national development programs.

Sen. JV Ejercito, chairperson of the Senate panel, said the reconciled version of House Bill 6527 -– also known as An Act Providing for the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Code of the Philippines -– will enhance the framework for processing of PPP projects.

READ: Marcos certifies as urgent Public-Private Partnership bill

"Our objectives in prioritizing this measure were further strengthened and accomplished by the reconciled bill," he said.

Below are the provisions improved by the reconciled version:

- Clarifying the roles of bodies concerned

- Enabling the government to come up with more efficient processes without sacrificing the level of due diligence accorded

- Striking a balance between incentivizing private partners

Ejercito called the adapted version of the bill as "landmark legislation" of the PPP Code of the Philippines.

"This landmark legislation is the realization of our long-standing vision to strengthen the partnership between the public and private sectors, recognizing the indispensable role of the private sector in advancing national development," he added.