What government should prioritize in 2012

THE New Year gives individuals and corporations an auspicious time to start anew and be filled with that spirit to make some serious and needed changes.

In an informal survey of some of the country’s leading corporate leaders, Business Monday asked what actions they want the government to prioritize this year and what they plan to do in their companies to make them stronger and more profitable.

Destination of choice

I want government to position the Philippines as a destination of choice, enable more flights to enter and improve the airport facilities of Manila and other key tourism areas in the Philippines. We must change perception of the Philippines to one that’s positive. As for our company, change means expansion of our services and projects and help position Manila as an international city.

Jose E.B. Antonio

Chair, Century Properties Group Inc.

Examine airports

Being in travel and tourism, what I want government to do very quickly is to examine all of our airports and improve them because there is congestion. We need to cope with increasing air traffic. I believe that the tourism sector, in good times and in bad, will continue to grow. For my company, the main thing I want to do in 2012 is to instill deeper to the team this sense of not going through every day with a business-as-usual attitude.

Manny Osmeña

Chair, Movenpick Hotel Cebu, Manny O Wines

Fasttrack IPP projects

For 2012, we expect the government to fasttrack all PPP projects to boost economic activity in the country. Government spending must increase as this will benefit not only large corporations but also the small and medium enterprises that are often the beneficiaries of the corporations outsourcing. For UCPB, we hope the ownership issue will be resolved in 2012 as this will enable the bank to increase its capital, attract strategic partners and realize its full potential as a universal bank.

Jerry Kilayko

President and CEO, UCPB

Eliminate corruption

There are many things in government that should change. If our reference is what will best address the long term welfare of the poor, I think the priorities should be lessening, if not totally eliminating, corruption. The second is to ensure peace and order. Both of these are necessary conditions to encourage investments; investments will then result in employment. Corruption includes nepotism, padrinos in government posts and tolerating illegal activities. Lessening corruption levels the playing field and encourages those with competitive talents to pursue their calling.

For EastWest, I wish our desired cultural norms will be deeply embedded in our organizational life faster. The bank has grown very fast the last few years and as a result, we have many new people coming in. It cannot be helped that they bring with them different points of views and methodologies.

While we have programs to engender a culture that embraces change, encourages incessant questioning of existing ways of doing things, celebrates learning, and values people as the differentiating asset of the company, it will take time before this is firmly cemented as a way of life in an organization.

Tony C. Moncupa, Jr.

President and Chief Executive Officer

EastWest Bank

Accelerate PPP products

I would want the current administration to accelerate implementation of public-private partnership projects to spur economic growth, and significantly improve the global competitiveness of the country.

For Isla Lipana, 2012 will mean investing in more intensive training of our people in specialized practice areas.

Judith V. Lopez Chair and Senior Partner Isla Lipana & Co.

Think big, act bigger

There are still some elements of government that have not signed on to the “Tuwid na Daan” directive of PNoy. This has to change ASAP.

Within BPAP (Business Processing Association of the Philippines), each member of our team needs to be able to “think big, act bigger.” We can’t let ourselves get stuck in our personal comfort zones. We have to realize that if we don’t constantly push ourselves and test our limits, our accomplishments will stay small. In our fast-growing industry, staying small and comfortable quickly translates into insignificance. I want to change the limits of the team’s imagination.

Gillian Virata, Senior Executive Director, Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP)

Embrace entrepreneurial spirit

Although there are some government agencies that are very good and efficient, the majority still have a lot red tape that makes it difficult to do business in the country. Sweeping reforms should be taken to simplify processes, cut red tape and promote ease of doing business.

At DTSI, we need to embrace the entrepreneurial spirit, passion and mindset. This will enable us to embrace things as our own, achieve higher output and productivity, and contribute to national development.

Miguel Garcia

President and CEO, DTSI Group

Leverage communications

Government needs to leverage information and communications technology to improve governance and service delivery while ensuring social equality and transparency.

In the company, I’d like to enhance innovation within our team and equip each individual to provide exceptional service and be more responsive to business demands and opportunities.

Jan Biezepol, Managing Director, Fujitsu Enterprise Solutions

Fix infrastructure for economy

Speaking personally, I would like government to begin the large infrastructure projects that help to revitalize the economy.

At MasterCard, we’re looking to bring payments industry innovations that strengthen consumer confidence in electronic payments.

Poch Villa-real, Senior Country Manager, MasterCard International Philippines Inc.

Execute priorities

The government is on the right track and should focus on executing its priorities across government departments and key stakeholders. For company growth, we need access to financing and better distribution infrastructure.

Jaime Ayala CEO, Hybrid Social Solutions

Spend more

The government should spend more in 2012. We also need more optimism and positivity in our economy. This is our time.

As for Belle, we are gearing up to build the country’s most fabulous casino and entertainment complex.

Willy Ocier

vice chair, Belle Corp.

Make bureaucracy more IT friendly

I am in agreement with PNoy’s national government strategy and direction, in terms of how it impacts the Philippine IT industry in general, and our software industry in particular. To that, I say “even more of what we have seen in 2011”. However, I think there is still much to be done in terms of making our local government bureaucracies more IT business-friendly and less graft-prone.

For Gurango Software, we expect to complete our transformation from a software services company to a software products company in 2012. This means that a majority of our revenues will come from the sale of licenses instead of labor, which allows for faster growth and greater profitability. This is also my advocacy for 2012: helping other Philippine software companies undergo the same transformation.

Joey Gurango, Managing Director Gurango Software