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

6 days ago

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.

30 Jun 2025

1:27PM

INSIDER VIEW | PPP-ready cities: Naga and Pasig set the standard

By: Alberto Agra

A Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between a company and a local government unit (LGU) is a collaborative, reciprocal, and resource-sharing arrangement. It is not merely a transaction—it is a partnership built on shared responsibilities, aligned mandates, and mutual interests.

23 Jun 2025

5:35PM

INSIDER VIEW | Building PPP-ready cities: Naga and Pasig

By: Alberto Agra

What makes a city ready to pursue Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as an alternative -- or even as the primary -- development strategy?

16 Jun 2025

10:25AM

INSIDER VIEW | A tale of 2 PPP-ready cities: Naga and Pasig

By: Alberto Agra

There are two fundamental principles that I wish to underscore. First, there can be no sustainable and integrated development without the participation of the private sector. Second, there can be no meaningful national development without the advancement of our local government units (LGUs), and vice versa.

9 Jun 2025

11:47AM

INSIDER VIEW | What the private sector fears most in long-term contracts with gov’t

By: Alberto Agra

Why are private firms wary of long-term PPPs with the government? This column examines successor risk, its legal implications, and how to design contracts that survive leadership transitions.

2 Jun 2025

11:08AM

INSIDER VIEW: June 30 ushers in fresh local PPP opportunities

By: Alberto Agra

With fresh mandates in hand, newly elected local government units (LGUs) set to begin their term on June 30 are expected to act decisively in delivering results that reflect the aspirations of their constituents — from better infrastructure and digital connectivity to improved public services.