PCCI to government: Prioritize ease of doing business

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the country’s largest business group, will be recommending to the government to focus on measures that could further ease and lower the cost of doing business, as it pushes for digital and innovation adaptation by firms.

PCCI VP and chairman of the upcoming 50th Philippine Business Conference and Expo (PBC&E) Raymund Jude Aguilar said in the Ease of Doing Business Law, there is a process whereby businessmen can file complaints on red tape while the government works to reduce processes which a business must undertake.

“Those are also supposed to help but I don’t think we are there yet. We are still in the process of developing it. I think it takes time to change but I guess we will go there especially when because of digital technology, you have your mobile phones now. If there are problems, you just text (message). All of these will take time but at least there is a start of putting them together,” he said.

Aguilar also underscored the need to address the high cost of electricity and doing business in the country which he said are discouraging potential investors.

“We also have the usual cost for logistics (issue) and transportation (cost) are still very high. I guess the new issues would be – we still haven’t transformed digitally especially in the province. We network, the connectivity is still not there,” he said.

Aguilar said the expansion of transportation infrastructure, including the construction of more roads and bridges, can lower logistics cost.

The PCCI official also called on companies to leverage technology to bring innovation, which is deemed crucial for survival in today’s environment as the business environment becomes more competitive.

“The internet, the mobile phones, have made the business market smaller. Meaning, you can reach out and then we try to enter, we try to do digital transformation. If you cannot innovate, your business will die, your business will fall by the wayside. So you have to continue it,” said Aguilar, founder of payment platform ECPay.

Carrying the theme “Embracing Innovation. Empowering Business. Enriching Lives,” the 50th PBC&E starts today at the Marriott Grand Ballroom.

Aguilar said the PCCI will submit to President Marcos the 50th PBC Resolution covering all sectors and areas including labor, power, health and connectivity, which “what we feel the country needs from the government to improve the state of business.”

“We need more data centers, we need to be connected. We support the government’s digital transformation efforts. We support the Anti-Red Tape Authority’s (programs that helped) ease of doing business and the green lane (initiatives),” he added.