Manila, Philippines —The government is coming out in the next two weeks with a new list of 20 priority infrastructure projects under the public-private partnerships  (PPP) program that President Aquino would be promoting to American investors during his first state visit to the U.S. slated in the third week this month.

Trade and Industry undersecretary and Board of Investments managing head Cristino L. Panlilio said the list is being prepared because the president’s visit would be largely trade and investments in nature.

“His agenda would be 80 percent trade and investments in nature and only 20 percent for other matters,” Panlilio told reporters. The DTI is in charged of organizing the business delegation that will accompany the president, the business groups and American CEOs that the president will meet during the trip.

Panlilio said that an initial list of 10 infrastructure projects have been drawn up but this could be raised to 20 to include also other projects in other industries.

“The president will bring this to the U.S., but we will also give the first crack to our local investors,” he said.

Most of these infrastructure projects are highways and tollroads including the extension of the LRT line from Baclaran to Bacoor and a road from Bacoor to Silang, which is parallel to Aguinaldo Highway, and a phase 2 from Silang to connect to South Luzon Expressway.

Francis Chua, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), has already urged the government to come out with the list of priority infrastructure projects and an assurance of full support to facilitate the entry of investors.

Chua said they are willing to promote these infrastructure projects and the private sector is willing to invest in these projects.