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

4 days ago

INSIDER VIEW | Development and usufructuary rights in PPPs

By: Alberto Agra

The issue of usufruct fees in Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) revolves around their legal basis, characterization, and treatment under the PPP Code (Republic Act No. 11966), its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), and other applicable laws.

19 May 2026

8:50AM

INSIDER VIEW | Understanding PPPs in public utilities

By: Alberto Agra

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) play a vital role in the development, modernization, operation, and expansion of public utilities in the Philippines.

5 May 2026

7:41AM

INSIDER VIEW | Expropriation in PPPs: Securing land for public use

By: Alberto Agra

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) often hinge on a critical input: land. In many instances, national government agencies and local government units (LGUs) do not have readily available land for infrastructure or service delivery projects.

1 May 2026

8:11AM

INSIDER VIEW | PPPs: Spokes in the wheel of progress

By: Alberto Agra

Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) are often discussed in terms of projects, contracts, financing structures, or legal frameworks. Yet beyond these technical aspects lies a deeper principle: integration.

21 Apr 2026

7:40AM

INSIDER VIEW | Corporatization and subsidiaries explained

By: Alberto Agra

Corporatization and the creation of subsidiaries are recognized institutional arrangements through which government agencies may undertake projects or deliver services via corporate vehicles.

8 Apr 2026

6:51AM

INSIDER VIEW | Joint ventures vs. leases in PPPs

By: Alberto Agra

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) offer governments a range of contractual arrangements through which the private sector may participate in the development, financing, and operation of public projects. Two commonly used modalities are joint ventures (JVs) and lease arrangements.

17 Mar 2026

6:57AM

INSIDER VIEW | 7 foundations of LGU PPPPs

By: Alberto Agra

Public-Private Partnerships for and with the People (PPPP) are firmly anchored in the constitutional and statutory foundations of local governance.

3 Mar 2026

8:05AM

INSIDER VIEW | The six Cs of P4

By: Alberto Agra

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are not a panacea. They are not automatic, “no-brainer,” one-size-fits-all solutions to every infrastructure or service gap. But when properly structured, they can be powerful tools for delivering projects that genuinely serve the public good.

27 Feb 2026

3:08PM

INSIDER VIEW | The ‘silent partners’: From lender to operator

By: Alberto Agra

A unique feature of PPP financing is the concept of step-in rights. Loan agreements typically grant lenders the right to “step in” and take corrective measures if the private partner defaults.