Biggest Philippines business group lays down policy recommendations to government

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has submitted to the government a list of policy recommendations focused on achieving food security, human resources development and investment generation.

From a long list of suggestions from the business community, the PCCI trimmed down the list to a three-point sectoral agenda that was submitted through Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go.

“These resolutions represent the collective voice and aspirations of the business sector, reaffirming our serious commitment to collaborate with the government in realizing a progressive, sustainable and inclusive economy,” PCCI president Enunina Mangio said.

In an 11-page resolution, the PCCI has called for a multi-faceted approach meant to prioritize agricultural production, improve market access and ensure a stable and affordable food supply for Filipinos to achieve food security.

The Marcos administration, it said, should establish a technology task force consisting of government agencies, agriculture experts and technology firms to identify and roll out modern farming technologies such as climate control and precision farming.

A detailed financial aid program that includes grants, low-interest loans and investment in disease control measures and new technologies should also be developed to revitalize key sectors, it added.

The group likewise urged the government to strengthen support for agricultural cooperatives, invest in logistics infrastructure and amend the Agrarian Reform Law to increase the land retention limit from five to 24 hectares.

On human resources development, the PCCI said there should be increased efforts to reform the country’s education system, improve the health care system and enhance workforce skills through upskilling and reskilling.

Among the proposed initiatives are the establishment of research and development centers and the enactment of reforms in the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. to expand benefit packages.

As for investments and job creation, the PCCI has sought improvements in ease of doing business in the country by enhancing infrastructure, transportation and logistics support.

According to PCCI, there is a need for a regular consultation body involving private sector leaders and policymakers, to assess current regulations and identify barriers to business operations.

It also proposes a comprehensive investment bill outlining clear incentives for both “export-oriented and domestic-oriented manufacturing and green technology sectors.”

The resolutions also cover infrastructure master plan development by partnering with urban planners and industry stakeholders as well as prioritizing investment in farm-to-market roads and major transportation hubs.

The PCCI has also called for digital transformation in local government units aimed at offering technical assistance and tools to digitize their services for efficient transactions.