The RDC-Project Development Assistance Center (PDAC) successfully hosted the region’s first Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Congress for government specialists from July 31 to August 2, 2024 at the Pamegafanan Hall, NEDA Region 2, Carig Sur in Tuguegarao City.

The activity brought together key players from the regional line agencies, state universities and colleges, and local government units to arm them with the necessary knowledge and skills and harness the potential of PPP as a mechanism to implement public infrastructure and services in the region.

The congress primarily aimed to equip the participants on the provisions and implications of the PPP Code and its IRR and to provide necessary knowledge, methodologies, and skills in preparing Project Concept Note (PCN).

Building upon the foundation laid by the PCN training conducted in June, the congress served as a platform for the participants to enhance their PCNs under the expert guidance of resource persons from the PPP Center led by Director Feroisa Francisca T. Concordia. Director Concordia shed light on the intricacies of the newly enacted PPP Code and its implementing rules and regulations (IRR). Ms. Tania Kate B. Fallena imparted invaluable insights on identifying suitable PPP projects and PPP PCN development.

As a result of the activity, participants successfully enhanced their PCNs, indicating interest in learning initial promotion of potential PPP projects. Selected participants also presented their PCNs to include the Delfin Albano-Sto. Tomas Pump Irrigation Project, the Cagayan Provincial Sanitary Landfill with Hazardous Waste Treatment Facilities, Region II Trauma & Medical Center (R2TMC) Four-Story Health Center, Redevelopment of New Public Market in Santiago City, and the Establishment of ‘Green’ Smart Commercial Hub at Isabela State University – Echague Campus.

To further nurture these promising initiatives, participants were encouraged to submit their enhanced PCNs to the PDAC Steering Committee for potential development and eventual endorsement to the concerned RDC Sectoral Committee and the RDC Full Council.