The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) is urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to use his State of the Nation Address (SONA) to move the national agenda away from political debates and toward faster economic execution, emphasizing jobs, investments, and lower living costs as the country’s most urgent priorities.
MAP said governance reforms remain essential but should function as a launchpad for economic progress rather than dominate the policy conversation. The business group stressed that Filipinos are looking for concrete results, not just institutional promises.
Among the reforms MAP wants prioritized are the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill, the Party-List System Reform Act, the Citizen Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability (CADENA) Act, and the Independent People’s Commission Act.
The organization said these measures could strengthen transparency, accountability, and public confidence, creating a more stable environment for businesses and investors.
However, MAP argued that reform efforts must be matched by a stronger economic execution agenda. It called for clearer government strategies to improve food security, reduce the cost of doing business, attract investments, and strengthen resilience against geopolitical and climate risks.
The group also pointed to the government’s investigation into the flood-control controversy as a critical test of accountability. MAP said the inquiry should result in stronger procurement systems, institutional safeguards, and greater transparency to prevent future misuse of public funds.
At the same time, it warned against allowing corruption investigations to paralyze legitimate infrastructure, healthcare, and education programs.
Delays in public projects, MAP said, could carry economic costs through fewer jobs, slower investment activity, and weaker growth momentum.
“The country is tired of politics,” MAP said, emphasizing the need to fight corruption while ensuring that reforms do not become obstacles to development.
The business group’s message ahead of the SONA reflects a broader private sector demand: that governance reforms and economic growth should move together, with execution becoming the defining measure of government performance.
For businesses and households facing rising costs, the next phase of the administration will be judged less by policy announcements and more by how quickly plans translate into jobs, investments, and improved daily living conditions.
