Philippines Enacts Public-Private Partnership Code to Bolster Infrastructure Development

The Philippines has taken a significant step towards enhancing its infrastructure and public services with the implementation of the Public-Private Partnership Code, also known as Republic Act 11966. Enacted on December 23, this law aims to establish a stable and predictable framework for collaborations between the public and private sectors. This initiative will address gaps in infrastructure systems and free up resources for other vital government projects.

Republic Act 11966 integrates best practices from years of experience under the Build-Operate-Transfer Law, ensuring better infrastructure projects and risk mitigation. The PPP Center highlights this legislation as a unification of the country’s fragmented PPP legal frameworks under a single governing law.

To facilitate the smooth implementation of the PPP Code, the PPP Governing Board (PPPGB) is responsible for developing the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) within 90 days of the law’s effectivity. The PPPGB has also proactively established interim guidelines, approved by the National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, to guide stakeholders and prevent delays in ongoing PPP projects during the transition to the new law. These interim guidelines will remain valid until they are replaced by further guidelines or the IRR takes effect.