New PCCI head bares program

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the country’s biggest and most influential business organization has unveiled a two-year plan under its new president, shipping and logistics magnate Edgardo G. Lacson.

Among the new PCCI thrusts are the implementation of its Energy Roadmap, a private sector initiative to implement the power reform law, privatize assets of the National Power Corp., lower power generation, transmission and distribution charges, and support alternative and renewable energy programs and policies.

“Our energy advocacy is systematic to effect a win-win solution for both government and private sector on the energy sector. While PCCI remains supportive of the imposition of VAT (value added tax) on oil products, other measures such as new investments on power plants and investments in alternative and renewable energy resources remain as the other important priorities in our energy agenda,” Lacson said.

PCCI also vowed to continue to monitor initiatives that implement President Arroyo’s State-of-the-Nation address commitments on infrastructure development through its membership in the Pro-Performance Infrastructure Task Force.

“We note the immense participation we are generating from among our local chapters nationwide to validate the impact of the various infrastructure projects in countryside development,” said Lacson.

“Likewise, the opening of NAIA 3 sends a clear signal on our direction to collaborate with government on key and meaningful projects that serve the interest of the greater public.”

PCCI also highlighted its support for the country’s participation in ASEAN economic integration and the subsequent free trade agreements with its dialogue partners, the ratification of the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) and the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC).

“These trade agreements are important in our effort to muster our competitive might on a global scale and in broadening our investment perspectives and prospects for economic development. While we fully underscore the need for our county to maximize opportunities from these trade treaties, we also acknowledge that the business community must closely examine their negative effects and work towards reforms and adjustment measures that will address the need and plight of our micro, small and medium enterprises including the jobs and income that they support and provide,” Lacson stressed.

Lacson re-affirmed PCCI’s role as a champion of medium, small and micro enterprises (MSMEs), while citing the need for more business-led to address gaps in food production and maintain the prices of key and basic commodities.

“PCCI supports corporate farming as a way where private sector can provide sufficient food supply to their stakeholders especially in the labor sector. What is needed as well is for the private sector and government to finally work on specific programs that will encourage private sector investments to upgrade farm technologies and mechanization as well as promote specific products of interest to our food security,” he said.