LEADING Philippine business organizations, including the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PhilExport) and members of the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philip-pines (JFC), are calling on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to endorse a broad set of economic reforms in his upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA).
In formal letters sent to Malacañang, the groups outlined a comprehensive legislative and executive agenda aimed at boosting the country’s competitiveness, accelerating digital transformation, driving inclusive development, and attracting long-term investments.
PCCI, the country’s largest business group, submitted a list of 20 priority bills aligned with the government’s digitalization, infrastructure, MSME development, and fiscal policy goals.
“These measures address persistent bottlenecks in investment, logistics, rural development, and regulation. A strong endorsement from President Marcos during his SONA can accelerate their passage and underscore the administration’s commitment to future-ready growth,” said PCCI president Enunina V. Mangio.
Topping PCCI’s list is the Open Access in Data Transmission Bill (Konektadong Pinoy Act), which seeks to expand access to high-speed internet and support the implementation of the Digital Transformation Roadmap and the National Fiber Backbone.
Other key proposals include the creation of a National Comprehensive Infrastructure Master Plan, the International Maritime Trade Competitiveness Act, amendments to the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Charter and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Act, and reforms to strengthen the country’s agriculture, labor, and export sectors.
PCCI is also advocating for improvements to the Magna Carta for MSMEs, the Blue Economy Act, the Corporate Farming Act, the National Land Use and Management Act, and amendments to the Agri-Agra Law, ASIN Law, and Warehouse Receipts Act.
To bridge labor market gaps, the group supports the Apprenticeship Training System Act, amendments to the Dual Training System Act, and the proposed National Quality Infrastructure Act. On the fiscal side, PCCI is backing the Budget Modernization and Reform Act and the Customs Amnesty Act.
Meanwhile, PhilExport and Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) president Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr. said many business groups are also hoping the President will use the SONA to oppose additional legislated wage increases.
“We want to hear the President reiterate that the regional wage boards have already been convened and that wage increases are being rolled out,” he said, referring to the P50 daily wage hike in Metro Manila effective July 18.
PhilExport is also pushing for amendments to the Magna Carta for MSMEs, removal of BSP oversight on SB Corp., passage of the Customs Amnesty Bill, and MSME-supportive measures.
The Joint Foreign Chambers and Philippine Business Groups (JFC-PBG) echoed many of these priorities in a parallel appeal to the President.
“While both domestic and global challenges persist, the Philippine economy continues to show strong fundamentals and clear potential for long-term growth. To harness this, bold reforms are required,” the group said.
JFC’s priority legislative measures overlap with many of PCCI’s and focus on critical reforms across digitalization, infrastructure, energy, and investment policy.
These include amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), along with the proposed Cybersecurity Act, E-Governance Act, Artificial Intelligence Act, and Digital Economy Act – all aimed at modernizing the country’s digital and energy landscapes.
All groups backed the Freedom of Access to Information Act, the long-pending National Land Use Act, and the establishment of a National Single Window System to streamline trade and customs processes.
Additional priorities include amendments to the Foreign Investors’ Long-Term Lease Act and the proposed Holiday Rationalization Act to improve business efficiency.
In addition to legislation, PCCI and the chambers outlined key executive actions that could deliver immediate impact and boost investor confidence.
These include the full implementation of the Ease of Doing Business Act and the CREATE MORE law, as well as the review and suspension of revenue memorandum circular (RMC) 5-2024, which imposes taxes on non-resident foreign corporations.
The chambers are also calling for the streamlining of visa processing for tourists and foreign professionals, the reconsideration of AO-23 on pre-border technical verification, and a review of the Food and Drug Administration’s revised registration fees and the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act to improve regulatory clarity and support private sector engagement.
“These reforms form a unified agenda that reflects the business community’s commitment to national development. Collectively, they will attract quality investments, create jobs, and strengthen the Philippines’ economic foundation,” JFC said.
