Infrastructure investment in the Philippines

The Philippine economy, one of the fastest growing in Southeast Asia, is placing increasing demands on existing infrastructure networks. Although levels of public spending on infrastructure have historically been low, this trend is being reversed, together with growing openness to private participation and greater competition in infrastructure markets. A programme for public-private partnerships (PPPs) was launched in 2010 and the authorities aim to accelerate its roll-out, notably by establishing a PPP Centre and planned amendments to the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law. Nonetheless, persisting gaps remain in terms of policy implementation, infrastructure regulation and effective investment attraction in key sectors. This chapter examines the current context of infrastructure development in the Philippines. It reviews the recent reforms to boost infrastructure investment, including to enhance private participation in infrastructure, and the remaining obstacles to improving the legal and institutional framework for private investment in infrastructure.