About the Author

Atty. Alberto “Al” C. Agra is an authority on administrative, local government, and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) laws. He has been teacher and advocate of the local government law for 32 years and serves as a bar reviewer on the subject. He is the principal author of Amicus Imperiorum Locorum. He is also a professor and bar reviewer on administrative law. Agra is a Certified PPP Specialist™ and a PPP law professor. Since 2011, he has conducted hundreds of seminars on published dozens of infographics on PPP and crafted a template ordinance for arrangements not covered under the PPP Code. He also launched PPP guide for local governments, titled Casa Agra. Recrafted.

Latest from the Author

3 days ago

INSIDER VIEW: Harnessing PPPs, public procurement for sports dev't

By: Alberto Agra

Under the 1987 Constitution, sports has a noble purpose. It is meant to foster total human liberation and development, self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence, all directed toward building a healthy and alert citizenry.

26 Aug 2025

10:28AM

INSIDER VIEW | Act now: Bridge the classroom gap through PPPs

By: Alberto Agra

The Philippines is grappling with a staggering classroom shortage of 165,000, according to the Department of Education (DepEd). Addressing this backlog is a pressing national priority, as inadequate learning spaces undermine both learning quality and the future of Filipino students.

23 Aug 2025

10:26AM

INSIDER VIEW | Leveraging PPPs for Flood Control Infrastructure (Conclusion)

By: Alberto Agra

For flood control PPPs, the primary goals are to achieve no flooding, minimize flood risks and reduce the frequency and severity of flood events. The intended impacts include protection of life and property, reduction of economic losses, preservation of public infrastructure, and the promotion of sustainable development.

13 Aug 2025

6:00PM

INSIDER VIEW | Leveraging PPPs for flood control infrastructure

By: Alberto Agra

In his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 28, 2025, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. denounced corruption in flood control projects. He ordered a list of failed or non-existent projects and warned that private contractors engaged in anomalous activities would face government sanctions.

5 Aug 2025

4:36PM

INSIDER VIEW | Maximizing the value and use of government-owned land

By: Alberto Agra

Land is one of the government’s most valuable and strategic assets. The Republic of the Philippines owns vast tracts of land across the country, either registered under the name of the state or held in trust by various government agencies.

30 Jul 2025

10:31AM

INSIDER VIEW | Public-private partnerships for the planet

By: Alberto Agra

Under the PPP Code and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), climate resilience and environmental sustainability are not only guiding principles. They are mandatory considerations. These must be integrated into the planning, design, and implementation of all PPP projects.

23 Jul 2025

8:56AM

INSIDER VIEW | PPP, procurement, privatization: Which path to take?

By: Alberto Agra

In fulfilling their mandates, government agencies are faced with multiple options and development strategies when implementing projects. Selecting the wrong path can lead to project failure, contract cancellation, litigation, or even disciplinary action against the responsible public officials.

15 Jul 2025

5:56PM

INSIDER VIEW: ‘De-EPALizing’ PPPs

By: Alberto Agra

The Filipino slang epal refers to an attention-seeker, credit-grabber, scene-stealer or someone who is mapapel. An epal is often a savior-wannabe or a fame-hugger, craving glorification and hoping to be remembered, even desiring to be in government, in perpetuity.

8 Jul 2025

9:45AM

INSIDER VIEW: Is the MAGA clause enough to protect PPP investors?

By: Alberto Agra

MAGA stands for Material Adverse Government Action. Under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Code of the Philippines and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), every PPP contract is required to include a MAGA clause.