Sunday, August 14, 2011

Bohol venue for first PPP forum – Chatto


By: Rey Anthony Chiu

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol Aug 12 (PIA) -- Possibly one of the pioneering provinces in implementing the public-private sector partnership (PPP) template in development, Bohol still has a lot to learn.

Governor Edgar Chatto hinted this as he announced that the country’s first public-private partnership forum would be set in Bohol.

Fresh from a Regional Development Council meeting in Cebu where the government’s Development Agenda Caravan was first launched, Chatto said the forum is part of the government’s information drives to drum up sectoral understanding of its policies and programs

In Bohol Chatto said it should provide Boholanos a better understanding on the concepts and benefits of the public private partnership.

“This is for the people especially the private sector who intends to help in the putting up of public services,” the governor beamed over radio air lanes in Bohol.

But, it may also be true that Bohoanos who have been talking about joint venture agreements had the PPP concept already.

Developing a sustainable public utility in Tagbilaran was competed through a PPP concept but was better understood as a JV.

Chatto however clarified: PPP is only about infrastructure development but also includes integrated development works [in BOhol].

Citing the newly formed Bayanihan Coordinating Center, Chatto explains: “the unit is set up to ensure that groups and corporations practicing corporate social responsibility and willing to partner with Bohol will have coordinating center to allow them to channel their support programs to government service delivery.”

In Bohol, Bayanihan’s classroom development program is a long-term partnership for education under the bayanihan spirit. It allows the construction and equipping of two classroom buildings at a much lower price, the governor boasted.

PPP is able to put in goods and services in the spirit of convergence where a usual P1.5 M, two classroom building can be put up at P810 K.

Under the partnership, the Philippine Army gives free labor, the local government puts up the funds while the private sector donates the school accessories.

At turn over, the school building would have a toilet of its own, window grills, desks, teacher’s table, charts, electric fans, blackboards, computer sets and multi-media equipment as well as learning modules, Chatto said.

After the PPP forum here, local leaders like Chatto also hope another window of partnership can be opened. (30)

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