Inclusion in IATF, priority bills, agenda for next two years, WPS

Disappointed over the policies on the health crisis and economy, the business sector would like to hear President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s fifth and second to the last State of the Nation Address (SONA) mandating the inclusion of private sector representatives in the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases to ensure balance in the crafting of decisions that will protect life and livelihood.

Manila Bulletin Business has pooled a few business leaders on what they would like to hear from President Duterte’s second to the last SONA to the Filipino people.

Edgar Lacson, chairman of the country’s management sector the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, said businessmen would like President Duterte to restructure the IATF to include his economic managers-with equal authority-in protecting and preserving life and livelihood.

“The pandemic is a serious war against humanity and can not be left alone in the hands of physicians and military generals,” Lacson pointed out.

“To reinvigorate and inspire entrepreneurs and consumers, his SONA report hopefully will include a longer and deeper narrative on the plans for moving forward after IATF mangled our economy beyond recognition and recovery,” said Lacson.

Lacson cited a government data showing that 52.66 percent of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have shut down, 12.55 percent with limited operations, and 34.79 percent managed to continue their operations as of end-April.

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) President Ambassador Benedicto V. Yujuico has similar view. 

“I have only one wish (hope) that the business sector would be invited to be part of the IATF or if not, consulted by the IATF regarding policy decisions that affect the economy. Secondly, I hope President Duterte will say constitutional change is not a priority at this time,” said Yujuico.

PCCI is known as the voice of Philippine business being the country’s largest business organization.

Yujuico said the business sector has been left out with only Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion serving as a bridge between government and private sector. 

The business sector has been urging the government to stop the prolonged lockdown and instead allow local government units to implement granular lockdowns. This way, the economy will be reopened, livelihoods will continue and jobs are protected.

Francis Chua, president and chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, would like Duterte to give a candid assessment of the government’s COVID-19 responses.

“How will the government balance the need of economy and the need to lockdown to contain the spread of COVID? What government expect from private sector to help in addressing the unemployment? How can the private sector help government in addressing the needs of MSMEs,” he said.

In addition, Chua would like the President to discuss if there is a government budget once vaccine against COVID-19 is already available.

Lastly, Chua said the President should lay out his agenda in the next two years. Duterte’s six-year term will expire on June 20, 2022.

The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines expressed hope that Duterte will give a report on the priority legislative bills they had identified to help move the domestic economy.

John Forbes, AmCham’s Senior Advisor, said “AmCham is looking forward to the president’s SONA, being delivered at a time when the country is facing one of the most serious crises in its history.”

“We expect he will explain policies to balance the health of citizens and the health of the economy and even new reforms to achieve rapid economic recovery. We also hope the legislative priorities he endorses to the 18th Congress will include many of the bills 14 business groups recently recommended to him and the Senate president and House speaker.”

Jose Luis Yulo Jr., president of the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands, expressed hope to hear “universal values,  rule of law, righteousness and managerial efficiency”  stressing these should be the continued guiding lights for governance in these difficult times. He said these can be in words and deeds that inspire, unite, respect, kindness and fairness. Yulo also hopes that the President will be persistent in protecting the economic interests and territory of the country in the West Philippine Sea.