Business groups have identified 24 priority legislative measures that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should certify as urgent for the immediate passage by the 19th Congress to achieve the goals of economic recovery and ensure sustainable long term growth for the country.
The list of the bills, which are in various stages in the past Congress, was submitted by three business groups – Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Employers Confederation of the Philippines, and Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. -- to House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.
The groups urged Congress to “work double time” to enact the measures stating that there have been many delays already in pushing for these reforms as government and private sector got sidetracked by the election, disasters and hazards. In addition, the groups said, “We have also been hurt by policies that were implemented with no/insufficient stakeholder consultation.”
The list highlights the agriculture and food legislative bills such as the Free Index-Based Agricultural Insurance; Successful Farmers Development Act amending the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law, and Livelihood Development Bill.
On civil service, government reorganization and professional regulation, the business groups would like the passage of the Amendments to R.A. 9711 or the Food and Drug Administration; PhilPorts Act (PPA Charter amendment); Strengthening of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines; and Creation of the Philippine Airports Development Corp.
For the protection of the environment, natural resources and climate change, and land use, the three business groups would like the passage of the Sustainable Forest Management Act and National Land Use and Management Act.
To stop importation of products that can be produced locally, the groups also want the passage of the Amendments to the ASIN Law as majority of the country’s salt supply are imported.
On human resources, businesses have urged the Marcos administration to pass the Apprenticeship Training System Act, Amendments to the Dual Training System Act of 1994 and Amendments to the Philippine Qualifications Framework (RA 10968).
To promote science and technology development, businessmen stressed the need to pass into law the pending bills -- Open Access in Data Transmission Act, Better Internet Act, and Satellite-based Technologies for Internet Connectivity Act.
For trade, commerce and entrepreneurship, the business groups said Congress should pass the Amendments to the Magna Carta for MSMEs; National Quality Infrastructure Act; and Warehouse Receipts Act.
For transportation, the business groups cited the need for the passage of the pending International Maritime Trade Act.
In addition, the groups are pushing for Amendments of the CREATE Law to help boost the manufacturing sector and export industry and Customs Amnesty Act to help shore up government revenue.
In addition, they said that government tax collection could be boosted by passing the remaining two packages of the previous Duterte administration’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Program. These are on property valuation and assessment, and capital income and financial taxes.
It is also crucial that government act on the ease of doing business, skills and education, infrastructure, environment and agri-related bills to help institutionalize reforms and accelerate development in these sectors.
The groups said that once these measures are expeditiously enacted, these will significantly help in the country’s objectives of economic recovery, progress and sustainability.