PCCI readies wish list for gov’t policymakers

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The country’s largest business association is set to present its policy recommendations to the government next month, detailing the wish list of the private sector to the Marcos administration for the next six years.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said on Friday that it would present this during the 48th Philippine Business Conference & Expo which will be held from Oct. 19 to 20 at The Manila Hotel.

“One of the highlights of the conference is the presentation of policy recommendations to President Marcos. This year’s conference will feature plenary sessions with local and international speakers and a dialogue with the country’s top economic managers,” the PCCI said in an emailed statement.

The conference is PCCI’s yearly gathering which serves as a venue for policymakers, business leaders, diplomats and the academe to meet and discuss issues.

It is also an event where both the government and the private sector come up with policies to help create a thriving business environment in the country.

This year’s business conference will be the first major meeting between PCCI and the government since President Marcos took office almost three months ago.

The list of confirmed speakers from the government side include, among others, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan and Information, Communications and Technology Secretary Ivan Uy.

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xillian is also one of the confirmed participants.

The PCCI has earlier raised concerns about the high energy costs in the country, as well as a number of supply issues hounding the private sector.

The country’s agriculture sector has been the most beset by recent problems, ranging from shortages in rice, sugar and salt, among others.

Last August, PCCI president George Barcelon expressed concern about the shortage of sugar in the country, citing that many of its members are affected and warned that it will drive the prices of their goods and services if left unaddressed.

Barcelon has also raised concerns about the looming P4-5 increase in rice prices, saying that this will have knock-on effects and will affect multiple sectors, most notably the local food sector and allied industries.

He has also noted the substantial increase in the price of coal recently, saying its effects on the cost of electricity is one of their primary concerns in doing business in the country.

Most of the Philippine’s power plants are coal-fired and diesel-fed, meaning that increases in the importation costs of the fuel will lead to higher power generation charges.