By means of Justine Irish D. Table And Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporters
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. should identify obstacles to business operations, develop an infrastructure master plan, enact a comprehensive investment bill and digitalize local government services to generate more investments and jobs, according to the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( PCCI).
In an eleven-page document with action plans for the government, the PCCI also urged the state to enhance food security by increasing agricultural production and improving market access, as well as reforming the education system, improving workforce skills and improve health care to develop human resources. .
The business group released the wish list on the last day of the 50th Philippine Business Conference & Expo in Pasay City, near the Philippine capital.
“We propose to improve ease of doing business in the country by improving infrastructure, transportation and logistics support and creating an enabling environment for investment generation and job creation,” the report said.
The PCCI asked the Marcos administration to form a consultative body, composed of private sector leaders and policymakers, to identify business barriers and resolve conflicting administrative and regulatory functions of agencies.
As an example, it cited the conflicting functions of the Philippine Ports Authority and the Laguna Lake Development Authority.
The PCCI also sought a “comprehensive investment bill” that will outline the incentives of export and domestically oriented companies, adding that a task force should be set up to monitor compliance and effectiveness of the incentives.
In particular, the group called for tax incentives and subsidies for renewable energy (RE) and waste management projects.
The business group also aimed to establish a long-term infrastructure master plan for transport, energy and communications networks.
It said the government should prioritize investments in farm-to-market roads and major transport hubs to help facilitate the movement of goods regionally.
The PCCI also proposed the establishment of a ‘Digital Governance Initiative’ that will provide technical assistance and tools and implement training programs for local governments.
It mentioned the need to set up a national task force focused on streamlining business processes through digital platforms.
FOOD SECURITY
The PCCI also asked the government to help local producers navigate export regulations and market access options and protect consumers from additional costs as the country transitions to renewable energy.
“We call for a multifaceted approach to increasing food security, prioritizing increasing agricultural production, improving market access and ensuring a stable and sustainable economy.Ffordable food supply for all Filipinos,” the PCCI said.
To achieve food security, the business group sought to establish a technology task force, consisting of representatives from the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Agriculture, agricultural experts and technology companies.
The PCCI said the task force should identify and deploy modern agricultural technologies such as climate control systems, precision farming tools, climate-resilient crop varieties and internet of things (IoT) solutions for real-time monitoring of conditions.
The Marcos government should identify specific recovery strategies for the coconut, pig and aquaculture sectors and develop a financial assistance program for disease control measures and new technologies, she added.
Also on the wish list are more budget support for agricultural cooperatives and investments in logistics infrastructure, including modern warehouses, distribution centers and cold chain facilities.
The PCCI further reiterated its call for amendments in the Agrarian Reform Act to increase the land holding limit from five to 24 hectares and abolish the ceiling on holding agricultural land. This was also included in the group’s policy recommendations last year.
“We urge the government to reform the education system, improve workforce skills through upskilling and reskilling initiatives, and improve the healthcare system to promote a productive population,” the PCCI said.
It cited the need to amend the Philippine Qualifications Framework Act with emphasis on the establishment of a Philippine Qualifications Authority.
It said there is a need for consultation to ensure the alignment of education outcomes with labor market needs and compare the law with the qualification frameworks of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members.
The group also called for the establishment of research and development centers that will develop new products, research industry trends, benchmark practices and maintain updated curricula.
On healthcare and malnutrition intervention, the PCCI said the government should prioritize the construction of Level 3 and 4 facilities in underserved regions and initiate community-wide campaigns against malnutrition.
“These resolutions represent the collective voice and ambitions of the business community, reaffThis underlines our serious commitment to working with the government in achieving a progressive, sustainable and inclusive economy,” PCCI President Enunina V. Mangio said in a speech at the business conference on October 23.
‘NEW PATHWAYS’
Meanwhile, strategic investments have reached more than P4 trillion since the launch of Green Lanes in February 2023, the Marcos administration said, as it pledged to pursue skills development for the Philippine workforce amid a growing digital shift.
“We have now approved… 162 projects worth nearly P4.4 trillion for green lane services,” Mr. Marcos said in a speech read by his Special Adviser on Economic Affairs.Ffairs Frederick D. Go on the last day of the PCCI event.
The green lanes are intended to accelerate the issuance of permits and licenses for approved strategic investments.
Mr. Marcos said more than 800 local governments are implementing a one-stop-shop platform for local government services such as business licensing, local civil registration and issuance of construction permits.
He also cited an executive order he issued in 2023 to streamline the processing of permits for the construction of information and communications technology infrastructure.
The Philippine economy grew 6.3% in the second quarter, “making the Philippines one of Asia’s best-performing major emerging economies,” he said.
He also mentioned gains againstFlation, which reached 1.9% in September, the lowest since May 2020. EasingFThis has given the central bank room to ease monetary policy, cutting interest rates by 25 basis points last week for the second time in a row.
“However, we also recognize the pressing challenges that remain in this increasingly competitive landscape,” the Philippine leader said. “We hear your concerns and are working more closely with you Ffind it feasible and eFfective solutions.”
Mr. Marcos said the Philippine workforce is crucial to driving the economy, citing eFfortresses to retrain and upskill employees.
“We continue to find new ways to make our economy succeed, especially in today’s rapidly changing technology,” he added, pledging to boost the country’s innovation ecosystem.