QUEZON CITY – The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center of the Philippines has officially embarked on a new collaboration with Expertise France, marking a significant step toward expanding green and inclusive infrastructure initiatives nationwide. The partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on March 27, 2025, at the PPP Center Board Room.
The agreement aligns with Specific Objective 3 (SO3), Output 2 of the European Union–funded Green Economy Programme in the Philippines (EU-GEPP), which seeks to deepen private sector involvement in accelerating the country’s shift toward a green and circular economy. A key focus of the partnership is the development of a pipeline of PPP projects centered on circular economy approaches to solid waste management.
Executive Director Ma. Cynthia C. Hernandez signed on behalf of the PPP Center, while Marie-Maylis Charlat, Project Leader for EU-GEPP SO3 on Green Business, Infrastructure, and Finance, represented Expertise France. The ceremony was witnessed by Deputy Executive Director Eleazar E. Ricote, Project Development Service Director Raphael M. Badillo, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Director Al O. Orolfo.
Driving Sustainable Waste Management Through Inclusive PPPs
Under the MoU, Expertise France will provide both technical and financial support to strengthen the capacity of Local Government Units (LGUs) in conceptualizing and assessing PPP projects for solid waste management (SWM). This includes assistance in preparing feasibility studies and integrating environmental, social, and gender-inclusive standards into the design and implementation of SWM projects.
The collaboration also places emphasis on improving opportunities for informal waste sector workers by promoting their inclusion in planned SWM infrastructure—aligning project outcomes with both environmental sustainability and social equity.
Accelerating Private Sector Engagement
By fortifying LGU capabilities and embedding green principles into project design, the initiative aims to attract greater private sector participation in SWM-related PPPs. The long-term vision is to build modern, efficient waste management systems that support the Philippines’ climate commitments while ensuring the benefits are shared across communities.
PPP Center Executive Director Hernandez underscored the significance of this initiative:
“The challenges in the waste management sector demand creativity, strong institutional backing, and advanced technical know-how. This partnership brings together exactly those elements, allowing us to pursue solutions that are environmentally sound and socially responsive.”
A Stronger Foundation for Green Governance
Expertise France, the international technical cooperation agency of the French government, brings a wealth of experience in policy design and project development, particularly in countries navigating environmental, health, and socio-economic pressures.
Through this collaboration, the PPP Center affirms its mission to strengthen the national PPP program—empowering LGUs with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to develop resilient and sustainable waste management projects that contribute to a greener future for the Philippines.