Local business groups and foreign chambers have called on the 19th Congress to pass 24 legislative measures, including reforms to institutionalize flexible work arrangements, better internet connectivity, easier tax payments and digital payments.
The private sector groups sent a letter urging the new administration to enact measures aimed at enabling inclusive growth for the country ahead of President Marcos’ first State of the Nation Address on July 25.
Among these is the bill pushing for open access in data transmission, whose ultimate goal is to improve internet connectivity in the country through fair and open competition in the market.
As for the “Ease of Paying Taxes” Bill, it seeks to simplify procedures for tax payments to improve collection.
Promoting digital payments, meanwhile, is expected to make paying for government transactions quicker and more convenient for the public.
In addition, the groups urged the passage of the following: liberalization of foreign equity restrictions in the Constitution; hybrid/flexible work schedules; freedom of information; property valuation and assessment reform; capital and financial tax reform; and Build-Operate-Transfer Law amendments or Public-Private Partnership Act.
The business groups and foreign chambers also asked the government to prioritize amendments to the Bank Secrecy Law, national unemployment insurance; creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience; E-Commerce Act amendments; Pandemic Protection Act; Holiday Rationalization Act; creation of Philippine Airports Authority; and, Philippine Ports Authority Charter amendments.
Other measures highlighted were Intellectual Property Code amendments; Philippine pension system portability and strengthening; apprenticeship program reform; easing of agricultural land ownership easing; repeal of Commonwealth Act 138 (Flag Act); International Maritime Trade Competitiveness Act; and Satellite-based Technologies Promotion Act.