Reforms in the management of debt must also be implemented. A dedicated unit in the DOF needs to be set up to consider more aggressive options such as debt exchanges and swaps at the most opportune times to optimize savings. There needs to be a greater diversification of modes, instruments used, and currency mix, as well as more innovative terms and features.
Likewise, all types of projects funded from borrowing, whether these are government-to-government arrangements, automatically guaranteed under GOCC charters, and under BOT or PPP arrangements, should be subject to the rigid test of project viability and procurement processes and conducted with the highest standards of transparency. During the project evaluation process, the extent of contingent public exposure to liability should be clearly identified and appropriate allocations in the budget should be made in future years.