COURTESY: The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center
Welcome to a new era of infrastructure and development for State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in the Philippines! Recently, The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center, in collaboration with the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC), organized an eye-opening capacity-building activity (CBA) titled “Introductory Course on PPP for State Universities and Colleges’ Infrastructure and Development Projects.” This shindig went down on June 20-21, 2024, at the snazzy Sequoia Hotel Manila Bay in Parañaque City. Buckle up as we dive into the juicy bits of this game-changing event.
The event kicked off with a bang, thanks to National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) – Investment Programming Group Undersecretary, Joseph J. Capuno. He didn't just deliver an opening speech; he set the stage for a revolution. Highlighting the significance of this effort, Capuno stated, “This effort is a significant step towards empowering SUCs to play a crucial role in infrastructure and service development for the country, specifically within the education sector.”
Now, that's a lot to chew on, but Capuno's words resonated deeply with the 300+ participants from SUCs nationwide. His enthusiasm was contagious, and it was clear that everyone was ready to dive headfirst into the world of PPPs.
Next up, the CBA sessions broke down the updated PPP concepts and institutions, diving deep into the newly enacted PPP Code of the Philippines and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). The sessions weren’t just your run-of-the-mill lectures; they were jam-packed with crucial information.
PPP Center Deputy Executive Director Jeffrey I. Manalo and Capacity Building and Knowledge Management Service (CBKMS) Assistant Director Cyris Ann A. Ng-Santiago were the rockstar resource persons who led these sessions. They tackled key reforms introduced in the PPP Code and its IRR, including revised procedures and timelines for both solicited and unsolicited tracks for national PPP projects. SUCs are now classified as national implementing agencies under the new law, which is a biggie!
One of the standout features of this event was the active engagement and enthusiastic knowledge-sharing between participants and resource persons. The air was buzzing with excitement as attendees discussed the advantages of undertaking infrastructure and development projects through PPP, the anticipated roles of SUC officials and technical officers, and the unique challenges and opportunities that come with SUC PPP projects.
Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo, President of Batangas State University and PASUC, emphasized the importance of this collaboration. "The government and the society are expecting more of SUCs… I am very happy to see eagerness amongst our SUCs to push forward a higher level of development in our universities which we believe PPPs can facilitate and provide for," he said. His words were a testament to the collective enthusiasm and readiness to take on new challenges.
As the event drew to a close, PPP Center’s Deputy Executive Director, Eleazer E. Ricote, delivered a closing message through Capacity Building Division Chief Agape Sem B. Comendador. Ricote's words were both encouraging and motivating. “While we acknowledge the growing pains of having this new PPP legal framework, we are also optimistic that this capacity-building activity has equipped you with the necessary basic PPP competencies to help you develop responsive, high-impact, and sustainable PPP projects,” he concluded.
The two-day event was more than just a learning experience; it was a launchpad for future collaborations. With a series of CBAs planned for 2024, there's plenty more to look forward to. For those who missed out, don’t fret! You can get all the info on upcoming schedules and register at this link: [https://ppp.gov.ph/2024-capacity-building-activities-listing-page/](https://ppp.gov.ph/2024-capacity-building-activities-listing-page/).
The “Introductory Course on PPP for State Universities and Colleges’ Infrastructure and Development Projects” wasn’t just an event; it was a movement. It signaled the beginning of a new chapter in SUC development and highlighted the critical role that PPPs can play in transforming the educational landscape in the Philippines.
With a solid foundation laid during this CBA, SUCs are better equipped to navigate the complexities of PPP projects. The knowledge gained and the connections made during this event will undoubtedly pave the way for more successful and impactful projects in the future. So, here’s to a brighter, more developed future for our State Universities and Colleges! Cheers!
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