Business groups seek passage of bills stalled in last Congress

MANILA, Philippines — Three major business groups called on the new Lower House to implement urgent legislative reforms that were filed in the old Congress but were sidelined by the elections and the calamities that hit the country.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), and Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport) submitted their preliminary list of legislative bills they recommend for inclusion in the priority agenda of the 19th Congress, noting these reforms will hasten economic recovery and promote sustainability.

“There had been many delays already in pushing for these reforms as government and private sector got sidetracked by the election, disasters and hazards. We have also been hurt by policies that were implemented with no/insufficient stakeholder consultation,” the groups said in a joint letter sent to House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

The letter, signed by PCCI president George Barcelon, ECOP chair Edgardo Lacson and Philexport president Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Jr., stressed the need to work double time to enact these priority measures which were in various stages of review in the past Congress, while signifying the groups’ willingness to continue working with the government in recovery and reform efforts.

To ensure food security and beef up the agricultural sector, the organizations urged the passage of the Free Index-Based Agricultural Insurance Bill that aims to give farmers free climate-based crop insurance, the Successful Farmers Development Act amending the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law, and the Livelihood Development Bill.

To improve the transport sector, the trade leaders recommended the enactment of the PhilPorts Act (Philippine Ports Authority Charter Amendment), bills to strengthen the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and the International Maritime Trade Act that is designed to enhance competition among transport and logistics companies and reduce shipping costs.

They also pushed for the creation of the Philippine Airports Development Corp., a body that would ensure and accelerate the development of air transport facilities and services in the country.

To support the sustainable use and management of land and other natural resources and mitigate the effects of climate change, it is imperative for lawmakers to pass the Sustainable Forest Management Act, National Land Use and Management Act, and the Department of Disaster Resilience, the letter added.

Meanwhile, the business heads also believe it is time to amend the ASIN Law in order to exempt natural sea salt from mandatory iodization, as this effectively inhibits local sea salt farming.

And to improve the quality of the Philippine workforce, the passage into law of the Apprenticeship Training System Act, Amendments to the Dual Training System Act of 1994, and Amendment to the Philippine Qualifications Framework should likewise be prioritized.

The letter also pressed for the green-lighting of the Open Access in Data Transmission Act, Better Internet Act, and Satellite-Based Technologies for Internet Connectivity Act to address gaps in the information and communication technology infrastructure, improve internet services, and promote inclusive, affordable access to satellite technology in the country.

Equally important to prioritize is the approval of the Amendments to the Magna Carta for MSMEs, National Quality Infrastructure Act, Warehouse Receipts Act, and Amendments to Republic Act 9711, or the Food and Drug Administration Act, they said.

“Crucial are ease of doing business, skills and education, infrastructure, environment and agri-related bills to help institutionalize reforms and accelerate developments in these sectors,” the letter pointed out.