Economic managers, investors tackle infra, taxes at EJAP Forum

MANILA, Philippines — Members of the government’s economic team will speak at the 2nd EJAP Economic Forum organized by the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines, which will be held on Aug. 28, at the Ayuntamiento de Manila in Intramuros.

The theme of this year’s forum is “Tax Reform and Infrastructure Development: The Road to an Inclusive Philippine Economy.”

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla will open the event with a discussion on inflation and reforms in the banking system.

The first part of the forum will focus on the government’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Program and other macroeconomic developments. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez will lead the lineup of speakers that also include Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia.

The second part will center on the Build Build Build infrastructure program. Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Public Works Secretary Mark Villar will discuss the government’s infrastructure road map, while Metro Pacific Tollways chief executive officer Rodrigo Franco and SMC Infrastructure chief financial officer Raoul Romulo will talk about initiatives of the private sector.

Thomson Reuters journalist Karen Lema and Likha Cuevas-Miel of Mergermarket will serve as moderators.

“We expect this year’s forum to be a venue for meaningful discussions about the pressing economic issues affecting the Filipino people,” EJAP president Louella Desiderio said.

“EJAP appreciates the participation of this year’s speakers led by the government’s key policymakers,” she added.

The forum is held in cooperation with San Miguel Corp., LT Group Inc., SM Investments Corp., Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., PLDT Group, International Container Terminal Services Inc., Light Rail Manila Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc., Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., Bank of the Philippine Islands, Udenna Corp., Globe Telecom Inc., Nickel Asia Corp. and First Metro Investment Corp.