WITH several critical reforms laid in the groundwork, more are in the pipeline to create a favorable environment for businesses to thrive, attract investments, and generate more jobs to prepare a better future for all Filipinos, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez told business leaders on Tuesday.
In his message at the 44th National Conference of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) held at the Manila Hotel, Romualdez noted that such policy direction is anchored on the government’s recognition of the employers’ crucial role in the country’s march to progress.
“The Philippine government, under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr, recognizes this and is committed to fostering an environment that bolsters your efforts,” Speaker Romualdez said.
He also thanked the business leaders for their resilience and fortitude in facing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic by keeping their businesses afloat to ensure millions of Filipinos have a lifeline or a source of income during the crisis.
“On behalf of the 19th Congress and the Filipino people, I express my heartfelt gratitude and admiration for your courage and perseverance,” Romualdez said.
“Our President, Bongbong Marcos, and we in the 19th Congress recognize and appreciate your significant role, not only as economic drivers but as stalwart partners in navigating these tumultuous times. We’ve seen firsthand your determination to keep the Philippine economy resilient amidst the global crisis,” he added.
To make the country an attractive investment destination and spur growth, Romualdez said Congress joined hands with the Marcos administration to cut red tape and promote ease of doing business, among others.
“Recognizing the advent of the digital economy, we’ve championed the Digital Philippines program. This is a dual effort to enhance our digital infrastructure and arm our workforce with the necessary digital skills, creating an avenue for more job opportunities in the tech sector,” he said.
“Moreover, we are committed to ensuring that our economic growth is inclusive and sustainable. We are prioritizing sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and services, which are crucial for job creation, particularly for marginalized communities,” Romualdez added.
Addressing several foreign dignitaries present, Speaker Romualdez said now is the time to invest here in the Philippines which has the fastest-growing economy in the world, apart from having a very popular leader in President Marcos.
He stressed that for its part, the House of Representatives is working hard to institutionalize needed reforms, noting that before the 19th Congress adjourned its First Regular Session, the chamber approved 33 out of the 42 priority legislations in the common legislative agenda of the Legislative-Executive Advisory Council (LEDAC).
Romualdez said among the approved measures was the Maharlika Investment Fund bill, seeking to create the country’s first-ever sovereign investment fund, expected to become a major source of funding for the administration’s big-ticket projects.
Speaker Romualdez exhorted the ECOP to continue its partnership with the government to ensure sustained post-pandemic recovery and growth.
“I am confident that with the continued collaborative efforts of the Marcos administration, the 19th Congress, and the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, we can achieve a prosperous and resilient economy, offering a brighter future for all Filipinos,” he said.
