THE Department of Finance (DoF) aims to start negotiations with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on a public-private partnership (PPP) policy reform loan within the first half of 2018.
“We have the Expanding Private Participation in Infrastructure Program… We are looking at a $300-million loan under this program. So most likely first to second quarter negotiation,” Finance Assistant Secretary Maria Edita Z. Tan said on Thursday.
She said that it would be a program loan aimed to increase private investments in infrastructure through PPP policy reforms.
“They are currently collecting the remaining compliance documents from the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways), NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority) and DoTr (Department of Transportation).”
Meanwhile, projects in the pipeline eligible for ADB’s sovereign financing program next year include the $70-million Davao Public Transport Modernization Project, the $300-million Inclusive Financial Sector Development Program, the $300-million Secondary Education Support Project, the $100-million Metro Manila Transport Project, the $200-million Metro Manila Water Supply Project, the $100-million Central Spine Connectivity Project Phase 1, the $160-million Mindanao River Basin Flood Control Project, and the $300-million Expanded Social Assistance Project.
Ms. Tan said that 2018 disbursement is expected for the four loan packages that were approved by the bank earlier this year.
These include the $100-million Infrastructure Preparation and Innovation Facility, the $300-million Encouraging Investment through Capital Market Reforms Program, Subprogram 2, the $300-million Facilitating Youth School-to-Work Transition Program, and the $380-million Improving Growth Corridors in the Mindanao Road Sector Project.
The DoF and the ADB are also expected to firm up the co-financing arrangement with Japan Official Development Assistance (ODA) on the Philippine National Railway’s (PNR) P211.46-billion Malolos-Clark north line, and the Tutuban-Los Baños south commuter line.
“So that’s next year.”
The multilateral bank last week unveiled its Country Operations Business Plan 2018-2020 for the Philippines, which offered $3.68 billion, with 40% of the amount going to infrastructure-related projects.
It also includes some $1 billion worth of loans on standby. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan
