BACOLOD CITY — Leaders of the business and information technology sectors in this city lauded President Rodrigo Duterte’s continuing resolve to ease doing business in the Philippines.
Frank Carbon, chief executive officer of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), said on Tuesday that he welcomed the clear policy directions in the President’s third State of the Nation Address which are good for business.
The local business leader said he appreciates the fact that Duterte did not mention his achievements, but instead focused on the signals and directions he set for the remaining years of his administration.
“These pronouncements have actually boosted our sense of optimism for the coming years,” Carbon said.
Duterte signed into law the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 in May this year. The law requires government agencies to complete simple transactions within three working days; seven working days for complex transactions; and 20 working days for highly technical transactions.
Carbon pointed out Duterte stressed that corruption must stop to improve delivery of public services as he warned government agencies to stop the “red tape.”
He said the government must simplify the business processing system, including reduction of number of signatories on permits, which is usually a source of corruption.
He also noted that Duterte applauded the Congress for the approval of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law, which will provide funds for the “Build, Build, Build” program.
Carbon said he believes the national government budget for development and big infrastructure projects should be biased towards Mindanao and Visayas.
For her part, lawyer Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, executive director of the Bacolod-Negros Occidental Federation of Information and Communications Technology (BNEFIT), said on Tuesday the President’s pronouncement pushing for ease of doing business and better internet connectivity services will further boost competitiveness for Filipinos with digital careers.
In his speech, Duterte underscored his administration’s firm resolve to ensure that the country’s telecommunications services are reliable, inexpensive and secure.
The President said the draft terms of reference for the entry of a new and major industry player is at hand, adding that the terms will be fair, reasonable and comprehensive.
Batapa-Sigue pointed out the Digital Age will create hundreds of millions of jobs globally.
“A strong Philippine telco is like a linchpin, it will open the floodgates for jobs and investments,” she said.
Batapa-Sigue, who sits as the vice president of the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP), said the Ease of Doing Business Act is going to be a real game changer for the Philippines, especially for the local governments, if those tasked to fully implement and observe their mandate will take the President’s warning seriously. (Erwin Nicavera/PNA)
