House Speaker Martin Romualdez is prodding members of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc.(FFCCII) to help in the government's job-generation efforts. Doing so would help keep Filipinos at home, instead of working abroad hundreds of miles away from their families, he said.
Romualdez made the call in his speech Friday afternoon, March 24 during the FFCCII's 33rd Biennial Convention at the Tent City Manila Hotel. Romualdez noted how the House of Representatives has been passing measures to improve the business and investment climate in the country. Federation of Filipino-Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc.(FFCCII)  President Dr. Henry Lin Bin Liong (right) hands over a Certificate of Appreciation to Speaker Martin Romualdez during the FFCCII 33rd Biennial Convention at the Manila Hotel Tent City in Manila Friday afternoon, March 24, 2023 (Speaker’s office) “We hope we can count on the support of the federation in our efforts to open up the Philippine economy, and create more jobs here, so that there would be fewer and fewer of our countrymen who will grow up without their father or mother,” he said. Citing the adverse effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on businesses, he said the first bill filed in the House was aimed “to provide assistance to distressed businesses". The Speaker was referring to House Bill (HB) No. 1, or GUIDE (Government Financial Unified Initiatives to Distressed Enterprises for Economic Recovery), which he principally authored. It has been passed on third and final reading by the House and sent to the Senate. Last Tuesday, the House also approved on third and final reading HB No. 7363, or the “Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso Act,” which seeks to provide sustainable and collateral-free financing to micro and small enterprises. “We are also pushing for the creation of the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF). In the House version transmitted to the Senate, businesses can invest in the MIF along with government in viable instruments, with guaranteed dividends, and part of the profits plowed back to strategic government projects,” the Leyte 1st district congressman said. He said the House is also working for the digitalization of government processes, to make it easier for people and businesses to transact with government. “We are currently pushing for the amendment of key economic provisions of the Constitution, which we view as restrictive, to make it easier for more businesses to set up shop in the country,” Romualdez, president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), said. “These are just some of the initiatives we are undertaking at the House of Representatives. Make no mistake about it: we are committed to bringing about a brighter future for Filipinos, and provide real, pragmatic solutions to many of the development problems that we face,” he stressed. Romualdez cited the importance of unity in attaining government’s goals and aspirations for the country. “Indeed, through unity, we can achieve development and prosperity that much faster. This is the same principle that we applied at the House of Representatives to facilitate the passage of landmark measures to hasten economic recovery. Be assured that your representatives know and understand the important role businesses play in sustaining national development,” he said. Meanwhile, he thanked the federation for launching its barrio schools program. “The school buildings that you have helped build go a long way towards ensuring that the country can look forward to an educated citizenry. On behalf of the beneficiaries, please accept our gratitude for your commitment and support to Philippine basic education,” he said.