Favila to meet with US businessmen

MANILA, Philippines - Trade Secretary Peter Favila is meeting with the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) to address their concerns on doing business in the country, particularly on the issue of corruption in government, Malacañang said yesterday.

Deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez said Favila was instructed “to sit down with the American business community here in the Philippines to discuss their concerns and of course to have a better business environment.”

The schedule is yet to be announced.

“Secretary Favila will be able to map out with them and enumerate the different programs of this government and how it is fighting graft and corruption, specifically the gains this administration has accomplished vis-à-vis its anti-corruption drive,” Golez said in a news briefing.

Favila is expected to reiterate the government’s appreciation to the US government, which has been helping in the campaign against graft and corruption through funding from the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA).

The ASEAN Business Outlook Survey 2009, a survey conducted by AmCham on ASEAN nations, showed that American businessmen based in the Philippines are generally more satisfied with the country’s business environment this year than last year but remain concerned about corruption.

The surveyed showed that 88 percent of the respondents expressed dissatisfaction with corruption.

“Dissatisfaction with corruption, which has improved in recent years, has reverted to 2005 levels,” the survey said.

Golez said the perception of corruption has been an issue not only during the Arroyo administration but in past administrations as well.

Presidential economic spokesman Gary Olivar said it is important that Favila meet with members of the American business community in the country because US agencies extending assistance to the country, such as the Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC), rely on the information provided by think tanks.

“Some of the people in the US in turn rely on what’s coming out in the country, specific organizations in the Philippines, associations, academic institutions and even key personalities who they believe are credible and knowledgeable, so this is how the perception of corruption is generated,” Olivar said.

“By talking to them not only are we able to address the specific concerns of an organization, we are able hopefully to influence the corruption indicators and how we rate on it in terms of MCC,” he added.