Groups urge reforms before Aquino’s term ends

A GROUP of local and foreign business associations on Tuesday pushed for the implementation of reforms and enactment of new laws, which they hope would be in place within the last 12 months of President Aquino’s term.

In a joint statement, the 18-member Philippine Business Groups and Joint Foreign Chambers (PBG-JFC) said the measures would ensure inclusive growth through job generation, poverty reduction and global competitiveness.

“The immediate enactment of the … proposals will greatly assist in accelerating the Philippines’ upward trajectory,” said the PBG-JFC, reiterating its members’ continuing support for the Aquino administration, especially as it enters its final year.

The coalition is composed of the Management Association of the Philippines, Makati Business Club, Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, Employers Confederation of the Philippines, IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Alyansa Agrikultura, Philippine Exporters Confederation, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines;

Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, American Chamber of Commerce, Australia-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Chamber of Commerce, European Chamber of Commerce, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Korean Chamber of Commerce, and Philippine Association of Multinational Companies Regional Headquarters.

In a letter to the President, the group presented a list of proposed reforms, including the reduction of the number of steps in establishing a business; reduction of items on the Foreign Investment Negative List; and minimizing delay of critical land, air, and sea transportation projects.

The PBG-JFC also suggested the immediate appointment of new heads for the Civil Service Commission, Department of Energy, and the Philippine National Police; the establishment of a public-private Energy Council; establishment of the National Privacy Commission; and the release of the implementing rules and regulations of the Data Privacy Act and the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

They also asked for the creation of agricultural trading centers that would assist farmers and fishers in securing financing and marketing support. They also sought the early resolution of the Maguindanao massacre case, and the plunder cases against the senators accused in the pork barrel scam.

As for their legislative wish list, the PBG-JFC called for the President’s support for the swift passage of the Freedom of Information Act; Amendments to the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution; amendments to the BOT Law and the Right-of-Way Act; Fair Competition Act.

They have also submitted proposals that will modernize customs and tariffs collections, and improve the country’s tax system.