Foreign chambers, MBC back Marcos econ plan
MANILA, Philippines — Foreign business groups and the Makati Business Club (MBC) expressed support for President Marcos’ economic agenda, but cited the need for strong implementation and continued reforms to achieve sustained economic growth.
The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) welcomed Marcos’ focus on competitiveness, energy security, investment reforms and economic growth in his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, noting that many of these priorities closely align with the Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC)’s recommendations submitted to Malacañang.
“We are encouraged to see that many of the priorities raised by the JFC, including stronger energy security, improved ease of doing business, digital transformation, infrastructure development, workforce competitiveness, anti-corruption initiatives and greater integration into the global economy, were reflected in the President’s SONA,” AmCham said.
The group also expressed support for the call for the immediate passage of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) amendments, continued investments in energy including nuclear energy, infrastructure, agriculture and food security, expansion of free trade agreements and support for the Pax Silica Industrial Hub and Luzon Economic Corridor.
“These initiatives have the potential to enhance the country’s competitiveness, attract high-quality investments, create more jobs and strengthen the Philippines’ integration into global value chains,” AmCham said.
The German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (GPCCI) also welcomed the emphasis placed on regulatory efficiency, energy sector reform, including the proposed amendment to the EPIRA, and the expanding network of free trade agreements (FTAs) in the SONA.
“We are glad to see the President speak with such clear intent about expanding the Philippines’ network of FTAs,” GPCCI president Christian Scheld said.
While AmCham commended the administration’s overall economic agenda, it emphasized the need for sustained reforms to further improve the investment climate.
AmCham is pushing for continued progress on priority measures, including cybersecurity, digital economy, National Single Window System and the effective implementation of the Ease of Doing Business Act, CREATE MORE and the Ease of Paying Taxes Act.
AmCham said implementation should be complemented by continued stakeholder consultations to ensure practical, science-based and investment-friendly regulations.
For its part, MBC said Marcos set an important tone of accountability, reflecting a year of sustained investigations into flood control projects and renewed calls for better governance.
MBC welcomed the reaffirmation of Philippine sovereignty under international law and supports the administration’s focus on workforce readiness, agricultural development, ease of doing business and energy security.
“To translate these commitments into sustained economic growth, however, stronger implementation and crucial reforms remain essential,” MBC said.
Perfect blend
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto described Marcos’ SONA as the “right blend: substantial and not just empty rhetoric.”
“That’s how it should be – a report, an eye-opener,” he said.
Recto said the President was right when he itemized each project for easy monitoring come implementation time.
Recto noted that the President’s call is for everyone to avoid divisive politicking and ramp up work that will bring peace and progress to the entire nation.
‘Senate backs legislative agenda’
Sen. Joel Villanueva said the Senate is ready to work with the administration in advancing its legislative agenda while building on reforms already enacted into law.
Villanueva said the President addressed issues affecting Filipino families, including the impact of the Middle East conflict on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), rising electricity costs and the need to create stable jobs.
“We assure the President that the Senate is ready to work with Malacañang on the legislative agenda he has laid out, while continuing to strengthen reforms that Congress has already enacted into law,” he said.
Villanueva welcomed Marcos’ recognition of several government programs and laws that he said have benefited workers, students, OFWs and their families.
Villanueva also highlighted the President’s recognition of work-from-home arrangements and online classes as measures that helped cushion the impact of rising fuel prices brought about by global developments.
On education, he welcomed the President’s support for lifelong learning, citing the Lifelong Learning Development Framework Act, which seeks to expand learning opportunities for workers, out-of-school youth and senior citizens through programs of the Department of Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Commission on Higher Education and local governments.
He also thanked Marcos for directing the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. to expand benefits for children with developmental disabilities by increasing coverage for consultations and therapy.
Villanueva said the President’s push to reskill and upskill the workforce complements reforms under the Enterprise-Based Education and Training Framework Act and the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program.
He also welcomed the continued implementation of the Doktor Para sa Bayan Act, saying it has increased the number of medical scholars, and expressed hope that more doctors would eventually serve underserved communities.
The senator pointed to the administration’s Green Lanes initiative, which the President said has attracted more than P6 trillion in investments and generated an estimated 400,000 jobs, saying the gains are reinforced by reforms under the Anti-Red Tape Authority Act.
House to back executive
Speaker Faustino Dy III led President Marcos’ allies in the House in commending his SONA and vowed to follow through on all the government’s achievements while promising to “translate” them “into action.”
“The President’s SONA sets the direction of the administration. The House’s role is to ensure that we will give all the support the executive department needs in a way that is proper, careful and timely,” the Speaker said.
Dy said the President’s message is in line with the direction he outlined at the opening of the Second Regular Session of the 20th Congress (2025-2028), where he urged fellow lawmakers to prioritize reforms that directly benefit ordinary Filipinos.
He said the President’s address provides Congress with a clear legislative direction as lawmakers begin work on the administration’s priority measures, including proposals to ease the tax burden on Filipinos and lower electricity costs.
Rep. Salvador Pleyto Sr. said Marcos’ fifth SONA was a “comprehensive record of accomplishments and the President’s concrete plans for the remainder of his term” from 2022 until he steps down in June 2028.
“Most particularly impressive to me – as an engineer – was the President’s call for the passage of the National Building Code integrating and ensuring resilient typhoon and earthquake-proof structures in LGUs which are vulnerable to natural disasters,” the Bulacan congressman said.
Siblings Migz and Luigi Villafuerte of Camarines Sur’s fifth and second congressional district, respectively, expressed their full support for Marcos’ proposals to cushion the impact of high prices not only on low-income Filipinos but also on the middle class and small entrepreneurs as well.
Rep. Jan Almario Chan of Ako Bicol party-list welcomed the key energy initiatives outlined by Marcos, particularly the administration’s renewed commitment to renewable energy, long-term energy security and measures aimed at lowering electricity costs for Filipino consumers. — Helen Flores, Mark Ernest Villeza, Delon Porcalla
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