Citizen group urges PPPs for resilient power, transport, telco infra

Following the devastation of Super Typhoon Uwan, CitizenWatch Philippines urged the national government to implement a unified resilience plan for power, transport, and telecommunications infrastructure through public-private partnerships (PPPs).

The group proposed integrating these critical infrastructures into protected underground conduits via PPPs using a 'dig once, build together' approach, shifting from temporary fixes to lasting resilience.

CitizenWatch lead convenor Orlando Oxales emphasized that aligning these sectors under a single resilience agenda would ensure communities remain connected and services functional during crises.

Oxales also suggested classifying digital infrastructure as a 'lifeline utility' to enforce global best practices, mandating minimum backup power and communication standards, infrastructure co-location, and investment in mobile cell units for emergency use.

CitizenWatch cited the experiences of Japan, Taiwan, and New Zealand as examples of how coordinated infrastructure systems can prevent paralyzing blackouts and communication breakdowns after major disasters.