Makati city: Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized the critical role of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in bridging infrastructure and learning gaps in the Philippines during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Editors and Economic Opinion Leaders Forum 2026 at the Fairmont Hotel.

According to Philippines News Agency, Angara highlighted the administration's commitment to collaborating with the private sector, particularly in enhancing human development and infrastructure as part of PPP initiatives. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has prioritized these elements to ensure that the PPPs focus on more than just physical development.

The Department of Education (DepEd) plans to build over 16,000 new classrooms in high-need areas through the PPP's School Infrastructure Program III (PSIP III), with a total project cost of PHP105.7 billion. The Build-Lease-and-Transfer (BLT) modality, part of the PPP approach, empowers private partners to finance and construct classrooms, facilitating timely project delivery. The annual DepEd fund will cover the payments.

In line with this initiative, President Marcos issued Presidential Directive PBBM-2025-1355, mandating DepEd, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), and the PPP Center to create a Green Lane for education PPPs. This directive has reduced approval, bidding, and review periods by an average of two months per project stage.

The ASEAN Editors and Economic Opinion Leaders Forum 2026 marked the beginning of the ASEAN 2026 business and investment initiatives under the Philippines' Chairship. The forum convened editors, economic opinion leaders, policymakers, and business leaders to align the Philippines' trade and investment goals with the country's Priority Economic Deliverables for ASEAN 2026. The event was organized by the ASEAN Philippines 2026 Committee on Business and Investment Promotion, led by the Department of Trade and Industry.