The Philippines is indeed ready and open for business.  Over a thousand local and international delegates trooped to the historic Manila Hotel for what has been the biggest-ever face-to-face conference after nearly two years of being held virtually due to COVID-19.  Hopes were high as optimism was re-ignited at the recently concluded 48th Philippine Business Conference & Expo organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and chaired by Mr. Ferdinand “Perry” Ferrer, Chairman/CEO, EMS Gruppo Inc.

 

No less than President Ferdinand Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte led the opening and concluding ceremonies of the two-day conference.  Cabinet officials of key government agencies took turns in presenting the government’s agenda to the private sector.

 

Marcos, in his remarks, underscored the important role of the business community in steering the country’s direction toward economic progress.

 

“You will be the main driver of our success as we emerge from the setbacks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the shocks that the economy, the world economy has suffered in the past few months,” he said.

 

The President made a commitment to improve the business climate and elevate the status of the Philippines as a top investment destination.  He assured the private sector that his government will continue to work to harmonize all efforts of all Investment Promotion Agencies, government agencies, and local government units to create synergies.

 

Duterte, on the other hand, lauded the business community for its “courage and commitment to bring about growth and development across the country — and benefit all sectors, especially the underprivileged and those lacking economic opportunities, access to livelihood, and employment.”

 

Duterte, who concurrently holds the position of Secretary of the Department of Education, presented the programs of the agency as laid out under the Basic Education Development Plan.  She also reiterated her earlier pronouncement that classes starting in November will be in full swing.

 

The conference successfully concluded with the handing over of the 10-point agenda of PCCI to President Marcos, which encapsulates the collective aspirations of the Philippine business to the new administration particularly in steering the country towards a higher growth trajectory.

 

PCCI submits priority agenda toward productivity and competitiveness

 

First in the list is Food Security. The resolution urges the National Government to a) amend the Agrarian Reform Law to increase land retention limit from 5 to 24 hectares, b) implement a debt condonation program for unpaid amortizations of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries, and c) convert Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) into fee simple titles.

 

Second is Health. The resolution urges the National Government to reform Philhealth into a science-based and transparent healthcare system and encourage Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in the implementation of the Universal Healthcare Law.

 

The third resolution is on Employment.  It urges the National Government to work together with the private sector to a) reenergize the economy by supporting new investments to generate employment, b) provide assistance to pandemic surviving MSMEs, c) amend all restrictive and punitive labor laws and enact laws that will increase productivity.

 

Fourth is Education. The resolution urges the national government to amend the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF) Law to create a Philippine Qualifications Authority (PQA) which will establish and maintain Qualification standards for all levels of education and training.

 

Fifth agenda is National Security. It urges the government to deepen cooperation with neighboring states, expand participation in regional and multilateral defense agreements while accelerating the Modernization Program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Sixth is Digitalization.  The resolution is urging the National Government to develop and implement a nationwide internet connectivity program that is reliable and competitive by passing into law the Open Access in Data Transmission Act.

 

Seventh resolution is Environment and Climate Change.  It urges the National Government to address climate change and environmental protection by developing public-private partnerships (PPPs) to establish world-class water and waste management infrastructure.

 

Eight in the list is Power, urging government to accelerate the integration of the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao grids to enable the free flow of electricity nationwide and for the DOE to amend the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Renewable Energy Act to allow 100% foreign investment in solar and wind projects. (Update as of November 1, 2022: https://www.philstar.com/business/2022/11/01/2220589/re-sector-be-opened-soon-full-foreign-ownership)

 

The ninth resolution is on Transportation.  It urges the National Government to provide world-class integrated transport systems and decouple the regulatory and commercial functions of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and other similarly situated transport agencies.

 

Lastly, is on International Trade.  It urges the National Government to hasten the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and to join bilateral free trade agreements and trans-pacific partnerships to minimize barriers to the free flow of goods and services.

 

Marcos assured PCCI that he will direct government agencies to assess the feasibility and success of the recommendations listed, which are in line with his administration’s thrust.

 

“I am much gratified that when I heard the enumeration of those 10 Resolutions that they are very much in line with the government’s thrust and the government’s directions that we feel will be the most advantageous for the Philippines,” he added. --- Donna Brazas Angulo

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