Fasttracking infra, tax reform among key PCCI resolutions

MANILA, Philippines — Fasttracking infrastructure projects, the implementation of the tax reform program and further easing the process of doing business headline the private sector’s list of recommendations to the President when they meet today, the head of the country’s largest business organization said.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) will submit today a set of resolutions to President Duterte at the second and final day of the 43rd Philippine Business Conference and Expo.

PCCI president George Barcelon said topping the group’s list are items related to ease of doing business, infrastructure and tax reform.

“In PCCI, our constituents are mostly micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) so we want to promote the ease of doing business. The local government somehow must have this sense of urgency to help the MSMEs,” he said.

Barcelon said many local MSMEs are still burdened by the not-so-easy process of doing business in the country.

“Infrastructure also. We would like the government to really fasttrack a bit so that the common people can feel that something is moving. And, of course, the tax reform. We feel that for tax reform, they should come at an agreement on a Lower House version and Senate version. The gap is too big so we hope they can bridge it. We need that because of the many additional expenses for the government such as social benefits, education and infrastructure,” he added.

Barcelon said PCCI officials have been encouraging its members to look at the bright side of the tax reform program and see it as an investment for the country.

The PCCI has earlier urged the Duterte administration to focus on delivering projects instead of letting itself get sidetracked by politics.

“So basically we want their programs fasttracked. The tax reform is still not implemented. The infrastructure projects, they are ongoing, but we want it accelerated,” Barcelon said.

Last year, during the 42nd Philippine Business Conference, the PCCI submitted a list that included resolutions for ease of doing business, taxation, information and communications technology, transportation, energy and power, agriculture, industry, tourism, education and SME financing.