Infrastructure projects don't stall for lack of technical expertise. They stall in the gaps between the public and private sector in misaligned expectations, untested assumptions, and conversations that happen too late. Our second in-country Growing Infrastructure Course Alumni Meet and Networking Event held in Fairmont Makati brought those conversations forward, putting infrastructure leaders across the Philippines in the same room, at the same table.
In a fireside moderated by Infrastructure Asia Executive Director Lavan Thiru, Eleazar E. Ricote, Deputy Executive Director of the Public-Private Partnership Center of the Philippines highlighted how the new Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) Code in the Philippines has established a unified legal framework for all national and local PPP infrastructure and development projects, providing mechanisms that support steady PPP development and private-sector participation.
Farchad Kaviani, Managing Director, Southeast Asia at SUEZ, also emphasised that projects should
look beyond commercial viability. More importantly, projects should be underpinned by strong local partnerships, to strive to deliver more meaningful outcomes for people.
He pointed to Danantara Indonesia as an example. It played the key role in advancing Indonesia's national pipeline of Waste-to-Energy (WtE) projects, showcasing how a strong government backing can accelerate WtE development.
Senior Deputy Director and Programme Director Dr Flocy Joseph then turned the floor over to our alumni since the programme's inception in 2021, who shared how they have applied the frameworks to live projects, including where things worked and how the programme can be improved.
Amena Arif, Philippines Country Manager at the International Finance Corporation, closed the evening with a clear message on the pipeline ahead and the public-private sector collaboration it will demand.
The rest of the night belonged to the room — infrastructure leaders and professionals from across the Philippines, exchanging notes, contacts and hard-won lessons.
The event is graced by Her Excellency Constance See Sin Yuan, Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to the Philippines.
Check out our picture gallery here.
About the Growing Infrastructure Course
This course was co-designed by SMU, Infrastructure Asia and the World Bank Group; and it will be delivered by SMU in partnership with Infrastructure Asia. The programme is designed to empower city leaders and policymakers to accelerate the transition towards clean, reliable, and affordable energy systems by addressing policy, financing, and implementation challenges.
More information about the Growing Infrastructure Course.