The Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines is calling for faster development of the country’s capital markets, warning that sustaining economic growth will require broader, more reliable sources of long-term funding.
Speaking for the financial executive community, Carlo Lazatin said the Philippines’ strong banking system is no longer enough to carry the investment load, with capital markets still lagging regional peers.
“Deepening capital markets is critical,” Lazatin said, pointing to the need for more कंपनies to raise funds through bonds and equities. Expanding these channels would diversify financing sources and better support long-term investments, he added.
Just as crucial is regulatory clarity. Lazatin stressed that consistent policy frameworks and more efficient processes are key to unlocking investor confidence and mobilizing long-term capital.
“When businesses operate in a stable and predictable environment, capital flows more freely,” he said.
Beyond finance, Lazatin underscored the need for sustained investment in productivity drivers—particularly energy, digital infrastructure, and logistics—which directly shape competitiveness and growth potential.
He also flagged financial literacy and broader investor participation as essential to building a deeper domestic capital base.
FINEX, he said, plays a “unique role” in advancing these goals by bridging the public and private sectors. The group works closely with institutions such as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Capital Markets Development Council to help shape responsive financial policies.
At the same time, it is pushing more mid-sized and emerging firms to tap capital markets, boosting liquidity while funding expansion, innovation, and job creation.
Lazatin added that leadership and governance remain at the core of market development, with FINEX investing in programs that strengthen risk management and ethical standards among finance professionals.
“Deeper capital markets are not built by policy alone,” he said. “They are built on trust, governance, and responsible leadership.”
