The private sector is asking the government to sharpen the competitiveness of the country’s future work force, ensure water security and attract more foreign direct investments (FDI) to sustain the country’s economic growth, the Department of Finance (DOF) said.
The DOF said these initiatives topped the list of “actionable recommendations” made by the private sector during the first Sulong Pilipinas workshop held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City this year.
The Presidential Communications Operations Office received the recommendations from the private sector on behalf of the Duterte administration.
Finance Assistant Secretary Antonio Joselito G. Lambino II said the top recommendation was the refinement of the K to 12 basic education program through the skills enhancement of instructors and integration of in-demand skills in the curricula.
The private sector also urged the government to promote water security through the rehabilitation of existing water dams and the creation of a Cabinet-level department in charge of water resources management.
Businesses said the government must ensure the effective implementation of the Ease of Doing Business law. The private sector also made a pitch for making grants available to startups and enabling technology transfer to stimulate the growth of innovative digital start-ups, and strengthening agricultural infrastructure and logistics to boost farm productivity.
Other recommendations were the amendment of the Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs); enactment of the Warehouse Receipts Act and Weather-Indexed Agricultural Insurance; and accelerating efforts to address high foreign shipping costs and port congestion.
Businesses also want to ensure strong agency performance by appointing competent technocrats as secretaries of key departments; enact a modern and sustainable national policy in land and marine use; rehabilitate and upgrade major railways and airports to boost tourism; and amend the Public Services Act, Right of Way (ROW) Act, and the economic provisions of the Constitution to fast-track infrastructure developments.
The top 10 recommendations were presented by George T. Barcelon and Ma. Alegria Sibal-Limjoco, chairman and president, respectively, of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which has been a strategic partner of “Sulong Pilipinas” since its inception.
“In our experience, these workshops with the public have been complemented by decisive action on the part of the government,” Barcelon said.
“Even before the Duterte administration formally assumed office in 2016, Sulong was a demonstration of its willingness to listen,” Limjoco said.
During the Sulong workshop, which was held after the Pre-State of the Nation Address (Pre-Sona) forum of the Economic Development and Infrastructure Clusters of the Duterte Cabinet, Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua spoke about the progress the administration has made thus far in its socioeconomic agenda.
Sulong Pilipinas is the annual consultative conference between the Duterte administration and the private sector. Lambino has been a prime mover of the annual conference since it was first held in Davao City in June 2016.