PCCI presents ‘wish list’ to gov’t

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has pressed the government to adopt its “wish list,” reportedly a “gold mine of proposed solutions” meant to make the country’s business environment more competitive.

In a statement, the country’s largest business organization said its 43 proposals submitted last week to President Aquino were also geared to help attract more local and foreign investments, as well as entice companies operating in the Philippines to expand, hire more workers, pay more taxes, and avail themselves of business opportunities in global markets.

“If government acts on the proposals, the outcome is an environment that allows business to focus on delivering value to customers, and thereby contribute to sustained high economic growth and to bringing Filipino families out of poverty in the shortest time possible,” said PCCI president Miguel B. Varela.

According to PCCI, these recommendations covered major clusters, namely, agriculture and fisheries; ASEAN market integration; ease of doing business; education; energy, power, water and fuel; environment; good governance; ICT and services; industry; infrastructure and transportation; labor and employment; legislative agenda; development of small and medium enterprises; taxation; and tourism.

Varela cited, in particular, the group’s recommendations on energy security, as he urged the Office of the President to help speed up the issuances of permits and licenses to power generation and fuel exploration projects.

“Affordable and adequate supply of energy 24/7 is important to running a business and creating jobs,” Varela said.

“But project proponents cannot even get to the shovel stage of a major strategic project. This is traced to numerous business permits, totaling about 106 that could take more than a year to complete including some local governments raising revenues through ordinances requiring licenses and construction permits even if these conflict with national laws,” he further said.

According to Varela, harmonizing ordinances with national laws was also critical as this gives companies—from those investing in billion-peso, energy projects to those starting a small store—an assurance of stability and level playing field.

Meanwhile, Varela also called for responsible and sustainable mining practices, but government must already put in place the policy framework.