Focus on economic priorities, foreign chambers urge Noy

The Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) of the Philippines and other business groups are pushing for several legislative measures that the government could focus on to improve the business climate, rather than be sidetracked by a proposal for a four-day workweek which would only erode the country’s competitiveness as an investment destination.

Out of the 32 priorities laid out by the legislative-executive development advisory council (LEDAC), business groups are batting for the passage of 12 to 13 measures.

Leading the proposed measures is the rationalization of incentives which has been proposed, filed and re-filed since 1995.

“We know that from the LEDAC and the JFC, there are clear priorities and we hope Congress focuses on them than (go) in the other direction,” said Peter Perfecto, executive director of the Makati Business Club (MBC).

Other than Australia, Perfecto said, there is no country that is ranked high on global competitiveness that imposes a four-day workweek.

John Forbes, director of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, said rationalization of incentives has been cited as an important reform by President Aquino, Congress, official development assistance agencies and business chambers.

The current version of the incentives rationalization measure is pending before the House and ways and means committee.

Amcham is also pushing for the anti-trust bill which is pending second reading at the House while the draft committee report is pending with the Senate trade and commerce committee.

“The Philippines is one of the few countries with no competition policy,” he said.

The Business Process Association of the Philippines is hopeful of the passage within the year of the proposed Data Privacy Law, which has been approved on third reading at the House but is pending in the committee at the Senate.

The association is supporting the creation of the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), pending for second reading at both chambers.

The Philippine Exporters Confederation is pushing for the customs modernization and tariffs bill, the anti-smuggling bill, the fair competition/anti-trust bill, and the creative industries bill.

Sean Georget, president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, said the group is pushing for the passage of a bill that provides direct remittance to local government units of their share from national wealth taxes.

Georget said the Canadian chamber is also supporting the proposed data privacy act, rationalization of incentives and the creation of the DICT.

Perfecto said the MBC wants to see the passage of the rationalization of incentives, freedom of information, anti-trust and whistle blowers protection bills.

He said the country also needs to strengthen measures against terrorism, money laundering and copyright violations.
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By: Irma Isip
Source: Malaya Business Insight, Sept. 7, 2011
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