Private sector presents 10-point policy action plan to government

MANILA, Philippines — The private sector has given the government a new set of actionable proposals which aim to further support business and economic growth in the country, according to the Department of Finance.

In a statement, the DOF said representatives from the private sector convened during the “Sulong Pilipinas” Forum in Pasay City last week, wherein they came up with 10 recommendations that would help the government in implementing game-changing reforms.

The recommendations were presented by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) to Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar.

Andanar said these inputs are seen to continue to “help shape government direction in (the) crucial second half, as the administration redoubles its efforts to complete its human capital development and inclusive growth agenda.”

According to Finance Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Antonio Lambino, the top recommendation pushed by the private sector was the refinement of the K-12 basic education program, through the skills enhancement of instructors and integration of in-demand skills in the curricula.

It was followed by the promotion of water security through the rehabilitation of existing water dams and the creation of a department in charge of water resources management, and the effective implementation of the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Law.

The fourth recommendation involves the extension of grants to startups and the transfer of technology to stimulate the growth of digital startups, while the fifth proposal entails the improvement of agricultural infrastructure and logistics to boost farm productivity.

The sixth suggestion includes the amendment of Republic Act 9501 or the Magna Carta for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), enactment the Warehouse Receipts Act and Weather-Indexed Agricultural Insurance, and acceleration of efforts to address high foreign shipping costs and port congestion.

Lambino said the private sector also proposed for the government to ensure strong agency performance by appointing competent technocrats as secretaries of key departments; enact a modern and sustainable national policy in land and marine use; rehabilitate and upgrade major railways and airports to boost tourism; and amend the Public Services Act, Right of Way (ROW) Act, and the economic provisions of the Constitution to fast-track infrastructure development.

“Even before the Duterte administration formally assumed office in 2016, Sulong was a demonstration of its willingness to listen,” PCCI president Ma. Alegria Limjoco said.

“In our experience, these workshops with the public have been complemented by decisive action on the part of government,” PCCI chairman George Barcelon added.

During the Sulong Pilipinas workshop, Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua discussed the progress the administration has made in its socioeconomic agenda.

Chua also reiterated the five key economic priorities of the government for the second half of President Duterte’s term.

These include the accelerated implementation of Build Build Build program, the passage of the remaining CTRP packages, the pursuit of reforms that will help increase foreign direct investments and jobs; the improved implementation of reforms, like the Ease of Doing Business and rice tariffication law; and the strengthening of farm productivity.

Sulong Pilipinas is the annual consultative conference between the Duterte administration and the private sector. This is already the seventh leg of the forum since it was first convened in 2016.