PCCI seeks for more detailed 10-pt socioeconomic agenda

By Philippine News Agency, Aug 9, 2017

MANILA, Aug. 9 — The country’s largest business organization, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), seeks for a more detailed plan on the administration’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda.

On the sidelines of the 2017 Sulong Pilipinas, a Philippine Development Forum, PCCI President George Barcelon told reporters that the private sector would like to hear more details of the govenment’s socioeconomic pillars.

Barcelon said that it was in last year’s Sulong Pilipinas forum that the Duterte administration’s economic team presented the 10-point socioeconomic agenda to the business sector.

“Hopefully, at the end of the day, we hear the President (Rodrigo Duterte), giving us, in response to what have been presented, maybe more detailed plan or timeline for some of the projects,” the PCCI head said.

“What are the areas that you want to prioritize? I do not expect them to do everything at the same time. So how they prioritize and what kind of timeline they would give,” he added.

Barcelon said that among the key areas that were crucial to the economy included infrastructure, human development, and the ease of doing business.

He said the government should also ensure the socioeconomic benefits of infrastructure projects, aside from addressing decongestion in the road.

On enhancing skills of its manpower, the government was urged to spell out its plans to assure implementation of quality education in the K to 12 program.

“What would be the quality of education for the young because that is very important,” Barcelon said.

Moreover, the ease of doing business will attract more investments in the country that create more jobs for its people.

He also noted that the 10-point socioeconomic agenda of the government, supports PCCI’s banner program called GIANT STEPS — governance, infrastructure, new era of manufacturing and tourism, and the science and technology, education, people’s skills, and SME financing.