SPONSORSHIP SPEECH

Mr. Presiding Officer and my dearest colleagues in the

Sanggunian Panlungsod, I wish to seek approval of the proposed
CITY CODE PURSUING A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP FOR THE
PEOPLE (PPPP), under consideration by this august chamber. It is
my honor to present this important legislative matter, as this marks
an important milestone in the overall development policy of the Local
Government of Santiago City.

There is no single definition of Public-Private Partnerships

(PPPs). PPP broadly refers to long-term, contractual partnerships
between the public and private sector agencies, specifically targeted
towards financing, designing, implementing, and operating
infrastructure facilities and services that were traditionally provided
by the public sector. These collaborative ventures are built around
the expertise and capacity of the project partners and are based on a
contractual agreement, which ensures appropriate and mutually
agreed allocation of resources, risks, and returns.

It is my firm belief that Public-Private Partnership is key to

economic growth. It bears stressing that PPP is not a new concept,
nor is it unique to the Philippines. Developing countries all over the
world turn to this method to maximize infrastructure development
and minimize government’s financial burdens. Personally, I am
pleased with the fact that this Ordinance promotes measures that
will ease contractual arrangements while contributing to the
objective of sustainable development, all the while ensuring that our
local government interests will not be sacrificed in the name of project
development.

Santiago City needs PPP. The current administration’s focus on

PPP as the ideal platform for integrated national infrastructure
development is on point. It is the best option for cash-strapped
developing countries like the Philippines, where the potential for
growth and industry is limited only by its capacity to set in place the
necessary infrastructure to support economic activity.

I urge all of you, esteemed colleagues, to see this Code as one

that will provide for more opportunities for our fellow Santiaguenos.

Given all the potential and proven merits, I propose for the
Sangguniang Panlungsod eventual approval of this Code, as thus
presented.

Thank you, Mr. Presiding Officer.