MALOLOS CITY—Businessmen operating north of Manila expressed support to the government’s Private Public Partnership (PPP) program saying it can be adopted not only in the national but in the local levels.
This came days before President Benigno Aquino III delivers his second State of the National Address (SONA) on Monday.
“Government’s readiness in supporting community in any activity that will develop economically is a welcome proposal,” said Rene Simbulan, the former vice-president for North Luzon Area of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industries (PCCI).
Speaking at the launch of the 20th North Luzon Area Business Conference (NLABC) here on Wednesday, he said as a national program, PPP must be adopted by regional, provincial and municipal levels.
“PPP can not only be initiated on the national,” Simbulan said and added, “ It can be started at the municipal level, and it might serve as an eye opener for those in executive department of government in the municipal level to start engaging business communities as partners on such activities and program.”
He explained that local government executives should work with local business councils like the one’s established in almost every town and cities in Bulacan through the initiative of the Bulacan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI).
He said that issues like taxes, competition and overall business environment in certain localities can be addressed by local mayors through open discussions with local business councils.
“If PPP is established in the local level on the consensus of what can we do together, then it can really ripple to something big that is profitable not only to business but to the community,” he said.
As a principle in economic development and governance, Simbulan said that PPP is not new.
He stressed that it has always been there and was only given proper recognition when President Aquino III adopted it, and the business sector welcomed the President’s move with enthusiasm.
He added that as part of the business sector, PPP is the right direction for economic development.
