Australia, PPP-NEDA ink deal on specialised Public Private Partnership (PPP) Scholarships

The Public-Private Partnership Center of the Philippines and Carnegie Mellon University in Australia (CMU-A) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Philippine government officials to pursue Masters of Science in Public Policy and Management and specialised courses on Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) at Carnegie Mellon University in Australia.

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Amanda Gorely and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Ernesto Pernia witnessed the MOU signing.

: Front Row (L-R): Mr Eli Ricote, Deputy Director, PPP Center; Mr Ferdinand Pecson, Executive Director, PPP Center; Hon. Ernesto Pernia, Secretary, NEDA; H.E. Amanda Gorely, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines; Professor Emil Bolongaita, head, CMU-A. Back Row (L-R): Mr John Alikpala, portfolio manager, DFAT; Mr William Tan, portfolio manager, DFAT; PPP Center staff; PPP Center staff; Ms Rina Alzate, CMU-A and Australia Awards alumni; Mr Elvin Uy, CMU-A and Australia Awards alumni; Ms Milalin Javellana, program director, Australia Awards and Alumni Engagement Program (Philippines); Mr Ruben Canlas, CMU-A and Australia Awards alumni.

“Our strong partnership with the Philippines translate to successful PPP projects we have done over the years. I am confident that these specialized PPP scholarships will open more opportunities for Australia and the Philippines to work together to achieve inclusive growth in the region,” Australian Ambassador Amanda Gorely said.

“We welcome Australia's expertise when it comes to PPPs, having numerous state-level big ticket PPP projects that are acknowledged by PPP experts around the globe. PPPs are an essential part of the Duterte Administration's Build Build Build Program and highly knowledgeable senior technical staff are invaluable in ensuring successful implementation of PPPs and the BBB.” NEDA chief Ernesto Pernia said.

The PPP Center is mandated to facilitate the implementation of the Philippine PPP Program. Aside from opportunities for study, the center’s partnership with CMU-A will also facilitate research on Philippine PPP policies, institutions, and projects.

According to Professor Emil Bolongaita, CMU-A head, “this agreement between the Philippines’

PPP Center and CMU-A present an important opportunity for relevant officials and staff of the Philippine government to learn in-depth from the Australian experience, and for Australia to contribute to the Philippines’ bold development agenda that will be economically transformative for the country.”

Relevant government officials who will be chosen to study in CMU-A will join the prestigious pool of Australian Global Alumni.

Education remains a top priority of Australia’s development program in the Philippines. Over 3,000 young Filipinos are admitted to study in Australia as part of the Australia Awards Scholarship programs.

The PPP Center is the main driver of the PPP Program in the Philippines. It serves as the central coordinating and monitoring agency for all PPP projects in the Philippines. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are contractual arrangements entered into by the government with the private sector. Under a PPP scheme, the private sector can build, operate and maintain public infrastructure facilities and provide services traditionally delivered by government. Examples of these are roads, airports, bridges, hospitals, schools, prisons, railways, and water and sanitation projects.

Original text found here: http://philippines.embassy.gov.au/mnla/medrel190221.html