Govt eyes spending P22.1B on PPP for 2012

The government is considering spending P22.1 billion next year for its share in the public-private partnership (PPP) program, the Department of Budget and Management reported on Wednesday. A part of the P1.816-trillion proposed national budget for next year, the PPP allocation is almost twice the P12.5-billion PPP budget this year. Malacañang on Tuesday submitted the proposed 2012 national budget to Congress for deliberation – the earliest submission since 2002. The P22.1 billion allotment is expected to pay for right-of-way acquisitions, infrastructure, and other related needs to get the projects going. It consists of P3 billion for the Department of Public Works and Highways, P8.6 billion for the Department of Transportation and Communications, P3 billion for the Department of Health, and P5 billion for the Department of Education. This month, the DPWH announced the start of bidding for first scheduled PPP project — the Daang Hari-South Luzon Expressway. — PE/VS, GMA News