BUSINESS GROUPS will focus on the 10-point socioeconomic agenda of President Rodrigo R. Duterte in the next Arangkada forum.

In a statement released yesterday, the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce of the Philippines (JFC) revealed the theme of the Sixth Anniversary Arangkada Philippines Forum as “Implementing the 10-Point Agenda.”

“The 2017 forum will emphasize the 10-point Socioeconomic Agenda of the Duterte Administration. With a combination of public and private sector speeches and panelists, the forum will discuss the key programs and policies that support achievement of the ten points in the years ahead,” the JFC said.

The agenda includes tax reform and more effective tax collection; increasing competitiveness and ease of doing business; accelerating annual infrastructure spending “with public-private partnerships playing a key role”; promoting rural and value chain development to increase agricultural and rural enterprise productivity and rural tourism; ensuring security of land tenure to encourage investment and address bottlenecks in land management and titling agencies; investing in human capital development and match skills and training to the demand from the private sector; promoting science, technology and the creative arts; improving social protection programs like the conditional cash transfer scheme; and strengthening implementation of Republic Act No. 10354, or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012.

Senior adviser of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, John D. Forbes, said that: “Experts at the forum will discuss synergies between the Duterte agenda and the Seven Big Winner Sectors.”

The JFC identified the “winner sectors” as Agribusiness, business process management (BPM), creative industries, infrastructure, manufacturing and logistics, mining, and tourism.

“Expect discussion (that will tackle) infrastructure and policies to decongest large cities and improve the economies of rural areas,” Mr. Forbes added.

Arangkada Philippines, launched by the JFC in 2010, pools leaders from both the private and public spheres to assess the current Philippine investment climate. The Sixth Anniversary Arangkada Philippines Forum 2017 will be held on Sept. 14, 2017 at the Marriot Grand Ballroom, Manila.