MANILA, PHILIPPINES (13 February 2018) — The Infrastructure Preparation and Innovation Facility (IPIF), supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), has contracted out the first of three consulting packages to help the Philippine government prepare several complex infrastructure projects worth more than $11 billion.
The Philippines’ Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) signed the contract today with Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Ltd (Arup) in a ceremony at ADB headquarters witnessed by senior officials from the government and ADB. In October 2017, ADB approved a $100 million loan for the IPIF to support the Philippine government in accelerating the delivery of high-quality public infrastructure projects under its ambitious “Build, Build, Build” program. Arup was selected by DPWH using ADB’s procurement standards.
“The Philippine government is embarking on an ambitious, but much-needed infrastructure development program,” said DPWH Secretary Mark Villar. “Major infrastructure projects involving the construction of tunnels through mountainous areas and long-span bridges across islands are unprecedented in the Philippines. A world-class firm like Arup will help our government generate large-scale, state-of-the-art infrastructure projects, optimize public investment, and realize our infrastructure vision.”
Arup will help DPWH prepare feasibility studies and detailed engineering designs for new inter-island bridges, tunnels, and highways worth over $11 billion.
“DPWH’s selection of Arup, which has decades of experience in mega transport projects, shows that the Philippine government is becoming increasingly savvy in managing large-scale infrastructure projects,” said Hiroaki Yamaguchi, Director of the Transport and Communications Division for ADB’s Southeast Asia Department. “We expect Arup to share its cutting-edge technology, innovation, and know-how with the government. ADB looks forward to continuing to work with both DPWH and Arup to help the government realize its ambitious projects under the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program.”
The facility, along with the recently approved $5 million technical assistance grant, serves as a catalyst for the government’s project management and monitoring system. It aims to strengthen the government’s project facilitation and monitoring systems, reduce infrastructure bottlenecks, and help relevant agencies systematically monitor project progress and address operational issues at every stage of project planning, construction, and operation.
The remaining two contracts covering the preparation of DPWH’s flood management projects and the Department of Transportation’s projects are expected to be finalized shortly.
ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members—48 from the region.
