Big Business' "must-have" Resolutions . .

In response to World Bank's synthesis of the Philippine economy (my post of 10/19), the Philippine Business Council (PBC) will present to the President during the closing of the 32nd PBC annual meeting - three (3) sets of resolutions. PCCI President Donald Dee categorize the resolutions into "must have"; "nice to have" and "wish we could have".

The resolutions were focussed on infrastructure development, tax and reducing the cost of doing business. Under the "must haves", businessmen identified 20 priority concerns, mostly infrastructures. Let's dwell on this:

• transparency in procurement of infrastructure projects through open and competitive bidding (thought GPRA is already in place);
• on energy - reducing the cost of electricity by reducing EVAT on fuel from 12% to 5% and transmission cost by 30%; repeal of Electric Power Industry Reform Act;
  
• on airports - extending the "open sky policy" to other airports of the country, in the process, declaring airports like Subic-Clark, Laoag, Puerto Princesa, Davao, Cebu, Laguindingan and our own in Iloilo as open for international routes and as regional hubs;
• on seaports - privatization and modernization of North Harbor; fasttracking bidding of Batangas International port;
• on roads and highways - DPWH to enter into MOA with private proponents of toll road projects; resolution of road-right of way problems;
• on water - fasttracking of passage of bill strengthening the Water Resources Board;
• on agriculture - intensifying hybrid rice and corn program; giving preferential sugar tariff rates for producers and exporters;
• on taxation - retention of incentives to all export-oriented enterprises including income tax holidays, etc;
• on good governance - DOF to fast track implementation of the Lateral Attrition Law and streamlining of Customs Systems and procedures to facilitate trade; DTI to streamline procedures and reduce charges for business licenses.
  

There are several others that may warrant disclosure in this post but will reserve these next time. My fervent hope is for the national leadership to heed this business call. This is the only country we have. We live and die here - so let's go for it!