NEDA OKs contract changes in UP-PGH Cancer Center PPP

MANILA, Philippines — The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board has approved the revised terms and cost of the Cancer Center public private partnership (PPP) project and two other initiatives intended to help accelerate the development of infrastructure and human capital.

In a statement, NEDA said the board chaired by President Marcos approved the following during its meeting last Thursday: changes to the terms and cost of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) Cancer Center PPP, new guidelines for the review of proposed national PPP projects and the  Department of Education’s Basic Education Development Plan (BEDP) 2030.

The NEDA Board approved the proposed revisions to the UP-PGH Cancer Center PPP project’s parameters, terms and conditions, including the project cost, which has increased to P9.49 billion from P6.05 billion.

NEDA said the revised project cost will cover the higher construction cost primarily due to the increase in the built-up area to 27 floors from 20 floors, as well as  the procurement of cutting-edge technology and equipment to provide world-class services and facilities.

To cover the additional expenses, UP-PGH updated the bidding documents to comply with the PPP mode of procurement.

Earlier, PPP Center executive director Cynthia Hernandez said the changes to the parameters, terms and conditions of the project were made to update assumptions and take into consideration concerns of firms interested in undertaking the project.

The UP-PGH Cancer Center will be a 300-bed hospital that will provide state-of-the-art cancer treatment to both charity and paying patients.

It will also serve as a teaching and research facility to meet the country’s demand for more medical professionals specializing in cancer prevention and treatment, with cancer as the second leading cause of death in the country.

The Cancer Center is seen as a critical component of a healthcare ecosystem for precision medical treatment being built by UP, including the Philippine Genome Center and Science and Medical Technology Parks.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, while operations will begin by early 2028.?

Also approved by the NEDA Board were the new guidelines of the NEDA Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) on the review and approval of national PPP proposals aimed at making the process shorter and more efficient following the approval of the PPP Code and its implementing rules and regulations.

Under the new guidelines, the ICC approval for projects worth P15 billion and above is expected to be completed within 113 calendar days, with a maximum limit of 120 calendar days.?

For those below P15 billion, ICC approvals should be completed in 83 to 90 calendar days, with a possible extension of up to 120 calendar days.?

These new guidelines will be published on the websites of NEDA, the Department of Finance and the PPP Center and are to take immediate effect.

Meanwhile, the BEDP 2030 is the country’s first medium-term plan for basic education covering formal K-to-12 education and non-formal education for youth and adults.