Members of the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines (JFC) have presented a fresh list of reforms to the government, aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the Philippines, which has lagged behind its peers in Southeast Asia.

During the 14th Arangkada Philippines Forum, the JFC unveiled the updated version of its policy initiative, launched in 2010, which is projected to increase investments and employment in the country.

Under “Arangkada 2010: A Business Perspective,” the foreign chambers outlined over 400 reforms aimed at accelerating inclusive economic growth.

Members of the JFC include the business chambers of the United States (US), Canada, Europe, Japan, and South Korea, as well as the Philippine Association of Multinationals and Regional Headquarters, Inc. (Pamuri).

Since 2010, the JFC has stated that the country has made significant progress in liberalization, infrastructure development, fiscal reform, and digital transformation.

In terms of the economic landscape, the foreign chambers noted that the Philippines has grown an average of about six percent annually, excluding the impact of the pandemic.

Citing forecasts from global financial institutions, they noted that this growth is expected to be consistently sustained through 2028.

“Despite gains, the Philippines lags regional peers on core competitiveness indicators-quality of transport and energy infrastructure, regulatory efficiency, and digital readiness,” the foreign chambers said.

The JFC noted that the country ranks “near the bottom” on global rankings such as the Global Competitive Index and World Competitiveness Yearbook, ranking 52nd and 51st, respectively.

It also pointed out that the Philippines’ broadband speeds and affordability trail behind the economic powerhouses of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), while electricity and logistics costs remain among the highest.

As such, the 2025 update of the JFC policy titled “Reform in Motion: 15 Years of Arangkada and the Road Ahead” proposes 75 reforms to seven of the country’s “big winner” sectors.

These sectors include agribusiness, transport infrastructure, manufacturing and logistics, critical minerals, creative industries, information technology and business process management (IT-BPM), and tourism.

“Though endowed with rich resources or global competitiveness, these sectors still face structural constraints-from high costs and regulatory bottlenecks to skills gaps and infrastructure deficits,” the report read.

Serving as a roadmap for the JFC’s advocacy agenda for the next three to five years, the report detailed the foreign chambers’ legislative recommendations before the government.

On a national scale, the foreign chambers urge enactment of pending reforms such as the bills proposing Freedom of Information, Electric Power Industry Reform Act, amendments to National Land Use Act, and Warehouse Receipts modernization.

They are also pushing for reforms in the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), as well as the passage of the proposed E-Governance Act, National Land Use, artificial intelligence (AI) governance, the Cybersecurity Act, and the Department of Water Resources law.

The foreign chambers said all these reforms are “essential for consolidating investor confidence.”

“This 2025 update reaffirms the JFC's commitment to fostering a more competitive, inclusive, and resilient Philippine economy by providing a timely, evidence-based roadmap for reform,” the report read.

“At a time when the country is navigating post-pandemic recovery, rapid technological change, and shifting geopolitical dynamics, this publication offers actionable, sector-specific policy recommendations grounded in private sector insights,” it added.