The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) is urging the government to implement 10 priority reforms within 12 months to translate major investments into contracts for Filipino suppliers, stronger domestic industries and measurable economic gains.
In resolutions concluding the 52nd Philippine Business Conference and Expo on October 14, PCCI called for a shift from simply attracting investments toward ensuring local enterprises capture more opportunities from emerging supply chains.
A key proposal is a supplier-development and buyer-matching mechanism linking Philippine businesses to major investments in semiconductors, electronics, advanced manufacturing and the Luzon Economic Corridor.
The chamber wants government agencies to identify imported inputs that domestic firms could supply, alongside gaps in production capabilities, financing needs and opportunities for technology transfer.
PCCI also proposed a public infrastructure dashboard to track project milestones, implementation bottlenecks and agency accountability. It urged the Department of Public Works and Highways to disclose delayed infrastructure projects and penalties imposed on erring contractors to strengthen transparency in public spending.
Other priorities include easing customs clearance bottlenecks, resolving outstanding tax administration issues, ensuring an orderly transition to mandatory electronic invoicing and accelerating electricity grid improvements.
The chamber further called for a national upskilling and reskilling accord to align workforce capabilities with the requirements of emerging industries.
Under the proposed implementation framework, each reform would have designated government agencies, target completion dates and measurable outcomes. These would include shorter processing times, lower logistics costs, increased local sourcing and greater participation by Philippine enterprises in major investment projects.
The proposed 12-month timeline places the emphasis on execution, with PCCI seeking to make reforms accountable through concrete deliverables rather than broad policy commitments.
The agenda reflects the business group’s push to ensure investment gains extend beyond capital inflows, creating more opportunities for domestic suppliers, workers and enterprises to participate in the country’s industrial development.
