Infrastructure development is a critical component for economic transformation. The insufficiency of inclusive transportation facilities, interconnected roads, and ample water resources facilities pose challenges to economic growth by reducing work efficiency, increasing the costs of doing business, and raising the prices of goods and services.

In the case of the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. reiterated that investments in public infrastructure remains a top priority of his administration. The President promised to continue the infrastructure development program of the previous administration through the PHP 8.3 trillion ‘Build Better More’ program. There is an acknowledgement that the modernization of the country’s infrastructure in the areas of physical connectivity, water resources, and energy to name a few will yield gains that cut across various sectors.

Revitalizing the country’s infrastructure landscape requires collaboration between the public and private sectors through increased public-private partnerships. Leveraging the private sector’s resources and expertise minimizes the government’s burden of limited finances and enables the reallocation of resources to other priorities. It will likewise foster innovation by creating an attractive and competitive investment climate that presents better risk management and ensures the successful implementation of infrastructure projects.

By maximizing the strengths of the public and private sectors, the Philippines may accelerate infrastructure development that serves as a strong foundation for progress and a sustainable future for the Filipino people.

In line with this, the Stratbase ADR Institute held a hybrid townhall discussion entitled, “Revitalizing the Philippines’ Infrastructure Development through Public-Private Partnerships”, on 22 September 2023, Friday, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (PHT).

The event aimed to bring together government officials, members of the diplomatic community, private sector representatives, scholars, and policy experts in an in-person discussion to exchange views on the potential of the Philippine infrastructure landscape.