The government of Philippines has plans to launch the tender process for the Regional Prison Facilities PPP project in May this year.

The project will entail the construction and maintenance of a modern prison facility in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija. The proposed facility will accommodate 26,880 inmates, including staff housing and administrative buildings, areas for rehabilitation (sports, work and religious activity), and will be installed with high security equipment.

The private partner will be responsible for the design, build, finance, and maintenance of the new facility. The project will be developed using a build, transfer, and maintain (BTM) contractual arrangement.

The total project investment is estimated at P50.11 billion (US$1135 million).

According to the PPP center:

"It (the project) envisions to create a 'humane' prison condition that will provide adequate living spaces, facilities, and address the basic needs of inmates incarcerated in the existing penal facilities."

In late October 2014 we reported that the government of Philippines, through the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), had approved the prison project. At that time other 5 PPP projects were approved:

• Development, operation and maintenance of the Puerto Princesa Airport. The total project investment is estimated at P5.23 billion (US$118.5 million);
• Development, operation and maintenance of Davao Airport. The total project investment is estimated at P40.57 billion (US$918.9 million);
• Development, operation and maintenance of Bacolod Airport. The total project investment is estimated at P20.26 billion (US$458.9 million);
• Development, operation and maintenance of Iloilo Airport. The total project investment is estimated at P30.40 billion (US$688.6 million);
• Development of Davao Sasa Port. The total project investment is estimated at P17.46 billion (US$395.5 million).