MANILA, Philippines – The Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) together with 10 Philippine business groups and the House of Representatives recently agreed to hold regular meetings to accelerate passage of legislative measures that will increase investment and jobs in the country.
House Speaker Felciano Belmonte said Congress leaders and the business groups are set to meet every three months to update the status on pending legislative measures. This will be in addition to regular committee meetings which will invite resource persons from the business groups in driving pending measures.
House Speaker Belmonte said that even with Congress having its highest net-satisfaction rating in more than 30 years, there remains an urgent need to encourage inputs from all stakeholders.
“Policies are always forged in the fiery furnace of debate and consensus. Thank you to the Joint Foreign Chambers for its notable contribution to our overall process,” House Speaker Belmonte said.
He added: “During this buoyant period where the country and our people are experiencing a fresh wave of hope, let us move forward and seize the opportunities for growth. With your continued support, I know that we shall not fail.”
American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines director for external affairs Robert Sears said the business sector will fully support Congressional actions that will directly address issues on investments and overall development of the economy.
“We have already presented Arangkada Philippines 2010 which contains 41 legislative recommendations to various government agencies. We are very much willing to go to Congress and its various committees to present our position on the priority bills we want passed,” Sears said.
Initially, the business groups are urging Congress to pass bills for the Anti-Trust Act, Build Operate and Transfer Law Amendment, Clean Air Act Amendment, Common Carriers Tax Amendment, Customs and Tariffs Modernization Act, Data Privacy Act, creation of a Department of Information and Communications Technology, Gross Philippine Billings Amendment, Mining Act Amendment to allow direct payment of LGU shares of royalties, Rationalization of Fiscal Incentives, Foreign Professionals Omnibus Amendment, Retail Trade Act Amendment, and Tax Sector Neutrality Act.
Congress currently has six committee clusters headed by Deputy Speakers that oversee 58 standing committees.
This year, the House of Representatives is expected to bring to the House plenary for discussion at least 90 priority measures including those on national competitiveness, fiscal reforms, government efficiency, and rural development.
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Source: Manila Bulletin, Feb. 18, 2011
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