MANILA, Philippines – The country’s growth is on the right track but much remains to be done, including by Congress, to make sure the economy would not be derailed, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said yesterday.
In his keynote speech during the second anniversary forum of “Arangkada Philippines” organized by the Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) and its partner organizations, Belmonte reiterated the need for amendments to the 1987 Constitution to attract more foreign investments and create jobs.
He said the 15th Congress and the JFC have been part of the country’s positive developments, including the downtrend in the external debt to GDP ratio, increased performance of the manufacturing and services sector, as well as the improved governance and anti-corruption rankings.
The Speaker said the 15th Congress has enacted 213 national bills into laws aimed at attracting investments, promote transparency, and raise revenues.
These include the Sin Tax Reform Act, Data Privacy Act, People’s Survival Fund, Anti-Terrorist Financing Act and amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
Belmonte said several other key measures are just awaiting President Aquino’s signature, including the bills pushed by the JFC such as the rationalization of taxes on international carriers; strengthening of the National Electrification Administration; encouraging conciliation and mediation in labor disputes; amendments to the intellectual property code; and universal health care coverage.
***
Source: Paolo Romero, The Philippine Star, 27 February 2013
Comment here