Business groups to Phl gov‘t: Cement reforms LOCAL and foreign business groups have reminded President Benigno Aquino III to hasten reform agenda which can be showcased to the global community since the Philippines will host international events in the near future. “With the Philippines hosting various international fora in the next three years, there is a golden opportunity for the country to cement its reform agenda and showcase its success story to the global community, as was done recently during the World Economic Forum on East Asia,” the Philippines Business Groups and the Joint Foreign Chambers (PBG-JFC) said in a letter to President Aquino which is shared to reporters Wednesday. Manila : Philippines | Jul 30, 2014 By Omer Oscar Almenario The letter to the President, which was dated a week before the 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA), cited six areas that the business groups want to be done before the Aquino administration will end its term in two years. The first recommendation of PBG-JFC is that the administration will institutionalize integrity and good governance through passing the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill in the Congress and urging public offices to sign the Integrity Pledge ensuring ethical business practices in both public and private sectors. Secondly, PBG-JFC backed the President in achieving inclusive growth. To make it happen, the business groups suggested that the government will craft an agriculture roadmap and the retention of the existing Philippine Mining Act. The agriculture sector employs almost a third of the entire population while the mining sector can boost income in rural areas. Thirdly, the business groups urged the administration to fast-track infrastructure developments including multi-airport system, NLEX-SLEX connector, a feeder road to connect to Manila Port, and shifting cargo traffic from Manila Port to Subic and Batangas ports. PBG-JFC also wants the government to ensure energy security and price competitiveness as the businesses’ fourth request by amending the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), crafting a roadmap of towards energy security and electricity price competitiveness, and augmenting Department of Energy (DOE) and Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) with capable, proactive, and visionary staff. Fifth, the various business organizations would like to see increase in foreign investments by opening up the economy through revision of Foreign Investment Negative List. Lastly, the PBG-JFC wrote the Chief Executive to address smuggling by moving Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and various measures on Anti-Smuggling in the Congress and to have high-level representatives from government that will work with the private sector in addressing smuggling. “The PBG-JFC recognize the vigorous efforts of your administration to introduce lasting social, political, and economic reforms that will pave the way for a progressive Philippines,” the business groups stated.
Posted on: Thu, 31 Jul 2014 22:36:32 +0000
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