The NEDA Regional Office in Eastern Visayas (NRO VIII) and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center jointly launched the Eastern Visayas PPP Knowledge Corner on 24 April 2018 at the NRO VIII Office in Government Center, Palo, Leyte. NRO VIII Regional Director Bonifacio G. Uy and PPP Center Deputy Executive Director Eleazar E. Ricote led the launching ceremonies.
In his opening remarks, Director Uy underscored the importance of private investments on regional economic growth. One way of generating these investments is for the government to offer partnerships with the private sector, he said. The PPP Knowledge Corner is instrumental in this. It will serve as an information hub on PPP, where LGUs, government implementing agencies and other stakeholders can get accurate and updated information and knowledge on PPP to help them develop and implement bankable PPP projects.
Director Ricote, on the other hand, said that the presence of PPP Knowledge Corner manifests the government’s effort to bring down PPP knowledge, guidance and technical assistance to the regions. This will facilitate diligent, transparent and faster local development projects that enjoin private sector financing and efficiencies.
Regional Development Council VIII Chairperson and Tacloban City Mayor Cristina Gonzalez-Romualdez, whose message was delivered by Tacloban City Planning and Development Coordinator Janis Claire Salvacion, expressed her confidence the PPP Knowledge Corner will not only function as an information hub but as a support link to expand economic growth in the region.
Meanwhile, Director Feroisa Francisca T. Concordia of the PPP Center discussed the Philippine PPP Program and the LGU-PPP Strategy while Senior Economic Development Specialist Jensen D. Rico briefed the participants on the Eastern Visayas Regional Development Plan 2017-2022.
The launching also had an interactive and engaging open forum.
ARD Meylene C. Rosales of the NEDA VIII, in closing, conveyed her appreciation to all the speakers and participants. She also reiterated the importance of collaborative partnerships between the public and private sectors for the attainment of the regional twin goals of robust economic growth and poverty reduction.
The Eastern Visayas PPP Knowledge Corner, fifth to be launched nationwide, is open during office hours. Clients may also email their queries at nro8@neda.gov.ph.
Article by Geselle Frances P. Zeta, PDIPBD, NEDA; Photo by PPP Center and NEDA VIII
