A delegation of officials from Rizal Technological University (RTU) recently participated in a training event aimed at enhancing their understanding and application of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) frameworks for State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) Infrastructure and Development Projects. The two-day course, held from June 20 to 21 at Sequoia Hotel Manila Bay, Aseana Business Park, was organized by the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) in collaboration with the Public-Private Partnership Center.
The RTU delegation included Dr. Ma. Eugenia M. Yangco, University President; Dr. Rodolfo L. Ducut, Vice President for Finance and Administration; Dr. Ella Aragon, Director of the Planning Office; CAOF. Rowell Marasigan, Director of the Accounting Office; and Engr. Nino Curpos, Director of the Project Management Office.
The course aimed to provide participants with a foundational understanding of PPP frameworks as applied to infrastructure and development projects in SUCs. Key objectives included familiarizing participants with the legal regulatory framework governing PPP projects in the Philippines, offering insights into project identification and feasibility assessment, and discussing financing mechanisms and implementation strategies.
Day 1 commenced with remarks from Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo, President of PASUC and Batangas State University, followed by a keynote message from Hon. Joseph Capuso, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary for Investment Programming Group, covering the background of the Philippine PPP Program, including an overview of PPPs, the Philippine Infrastructure Development Program, PPP legal frameworks, key concepts, institutions, and an overview of the PPP process under the PPP Code and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).
Day 2 delved deeper into the PPP process under the PPP Code and its IRR, discussing the unsolicited process for national PPP projects, various stages of development, review and approval, procurement, and a detailed flowchart of the unsolicited process for national PPP projects.
This comprehensive introductory course significantly benefited the SUCs implementing infrastructure and development projects. By equipping its key leaders with the necessary knowledge and skills, RTU is poised to drive innovation and efficiency in its infrastructure projects, ultimately enhancing the educational environment and opportunities for its students and faculty.
The participation of RTU officials exhibits the university’s commitment to leveraging PPPs to enhance its infrastructure and development projects, ensuring a robust and sustainable growth path for the institution. This initiative aligns with RTU’s strategic goals of pursuing smart campus development and other projects anchored on their Land Use Development and Infrastructure Plan (LUDIP).