The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center of the Philippines signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Thursday (May 21) to fast track infrastructure projects, particularly Casiguran International New Port (CINP) and the Casiguran International Airport.
Undersecretary Gil G. Taway IV., APECO President and CEO, said the partnership with PPP Center is expected to accelerate the growth and long-term economic transformation of Aurora Province, a second-class province by income criteria.
APECO’s flagship infrastructure initiatives will position the ecozone as the country’s emerging “Gateway to the Pacific”.
Usec. Taway signed the MOA on behalf of APECO while PPP Center Executive Director Undersecretary Rizza Blanco-Latorre represented the Center. Also present to witness the signing is APECO Administrative and Finance Manager Rexzon M. Balacano and PPP Center Deputy Executive Director Assistant Secretary Eleazar E. Ricote.
Aside from the seaport and airport, Usec. Taway said the partnership will help build a robust pipeline of PPP projects designed to attract private sector investments in infrastructure, industry, tourism, and related sectors.
Under the agreement, the PPP Center will provide technical assistance and advisory support to APECO in project development, structuring, evaluation, procurement, and implementation of PPP projects. This includes the preparation of feasibility studies, conduct of business cases for qualified projects, and assistance in evaluating unsolicited proposals in accordance with Republic Act No. 11966 or the Public-Private Partnership Code of the Philippines.
PPP Center will also extend its assistance to APECO in determining eligibility for support under the Project Development and Monitoring Facility (PDMF).
“The PPP Center’s technical expertise will be critical in ensuring that APECO’s priority projects are properly structured, bankable, and aligned with national development goals,” Usec. Taway said.
On the other hand, APECO is expected to provide access to relevant project documents and information to the PPP Center, subject to applicable laws and internal safeguards; designate a dedicated PPP unit to coordinate and manage PPP project development and implementation; ensure coordination with the PPP Center’s assigned technical teams; and facilitate implementation of agreed project development activities and support requirements.
Meanwhile, Usec. Blanco-Latorre said the agreement reflects the government’s commitment to expand private sector participation in infrastructure development under the PPP Code.
“Ultimately, this collaboration is about creating bankable, inclusive, and future-ready infrastructure that will unlock economic opportunities not only for Aurora, but for the broader Luzon growth corridor” Blanco-Latorre said.
Meanwhile, the PPP Center concluded a workshop for APECO conducted on May 19-20, which aimed to strengthen its capabilities in undertaking PPP projects.
Among the outputs of the two-day workshop are the Project Concept Notes for the CINP, Casiguran airport, pharmaceutical hub, and national defense hub.
