Speech
Speech by Emmanuel Nyirinkindi at Malacañang Palace, Manila, the Philippines
- Your Excellency President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
- The Cabinet:
- Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista;
- Finance Secretary Ralph Recto;
- Executive Director Cynthia Hernandez of the PPP Center;
- Distinguished ladies and gentlemen
- Good morning, (Magandang Umaga), (Maayong Buntag),
- It is my great honor to be here today for the signing events of key infrastructure projects in the Philippines. This is a momentous occasion as we witness major project milestones for:
- The new Cebu International Container Port Project;
- The new Bohol-Panglao International Airport;
- The new regional airports in Dumaguete and Siargao.
- IFC has had the privilege and the honor of working with the Department of Transportation on these and other transportation projects, now covering air, land, and sea. They are a clear signal of the World Bank Group’s growing engagement with the Government of the Philippines.
- In my many meetings this week here in Manila, I have been reminded at every turn of the longstanding fruitful partnership between IFC and the Philippines. We are very proud of this collaboration. Indeed, since the 1980s, IFC has been providing PPP advisory services in the Philippines. And over the past three decades, we have mobilized over 2 billion US dollars for the water, transport, and energy sectors in this country.
- We continue to see a lot of opportunities for more public-private partnership here, due to this country’s robust legal, institutional, policy, and regulatory framework. For example, the Philippines was the first country in Asia to pass a landmark PPP law — a law copied by most countries in the region.
- So, we are humbled by the government’s trust in IFC to continue a successful track record of PPPs that deliver development solutions. The Philippines has a vision to Build-Better-More when it comes to its infrastructure. And this resonates with us at IFC as we invest in climate-resilient, sustainable, and inclusive infrastructure that drives growth and opportunities for all.
- We value a programmatic approach in our partnership with the Department of Transportation, which aims to deliver a full suite of services for public-private partnerships to flourish in the country.
- In designing the PPP concessions guided by the Government, we will provide advice and support to promote inclusive access, thereby providing transport facilities that take into account the needs of women, the elderly, children, and people with disabilities. We have done this for our Bus Rapid Transit and cable cars projects in Colombia, at Almaty Airport in Kazakhstan, and in tramway projects in Türkiye and in Morocco.
- Now, across all our projects here in the Philippines, we are committed to bringing Stop-Winlock’s expertise and resources to help deliver infrastructure that is transformative and inclusive, improving the lives of all Filipinos.
- As an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, the country’s development of airports and ports is essential. It is also absolutely critical for connecting people and markets and spreading economic benefits throughout the Philippines.
- For example, the construction of a new international port will also expand market opportunities for Cebu, the second largest trade and economic hub in the Philippines. The new Cebu International Port will also support integration by improving connectivity, lowering logistics costs, and expanding domestic and international trade in the Visayas region.
- In Bohol, another wonderful island just beside Cebu, the PPP concession for the new international airport will initially double its capacity to serve 3.9 million passengers annually. Such a jump enables the airport to support the province’s long-term tourism potential and bring about tangible economic benefits to the province and its people.
- And speaking of prime tourist destinations, we are also happy to assist the government in exploring private sector participation in two new regional airports in Dumaguete and Siargao. There is a possibility of bundling these with other major airports to attract credible international investors even to smaller airports in the country.
- I realize we are all here in Malacañang Palace. Yet, looking at what we will do in Cebu, Bohol, Dumaguete, and Siargao – one thing is crystal clear – the impact of these projects goes well beyond this magnificent room.
- In fact, the projects we are signing today will carry immense benefits, reaching communities far and wide. For each runway, road, and seaport that we build or improve, we create more jobs and business opportunities. So, let me extend my congratulations to everyone who has worked on these landmark projects.
- Let me also warmly congratulate other partners in development who are signing their respective contracts with the government:
- Aboitiz Infra Capital;
- Korea Eximbank;
- And Hanjin Heavy Industries.
- We look forward to collaborating with your teams to deliver for the government – and the people – of the Philippines ... and to turn the promise of these important projects into reality.
- Thank you, (Maraming Salamat), (Daghang Salamat), and full speed ahead!
