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3 trade groups ask Lower House to enact urgent legislative reforms and other key pending bills, including one creating the Philippine Airports Development Corp
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PCCI, ECOP and PHILEXPORT sent the 19th Congress a preliminary list of bills that they want prioritized to hasten economic recovery
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They also nudged the legislators to pass the PhilPorts Act, bills to strengthen the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and the International Maritime Trade Act
Three major Philippine business groups are urging the new Lower House to prioritize passage of urgent legislative reforms and other key bills filed in the old Congress, including a bill creating the Philippine Airports Development Corporation.
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), and Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PHILEXPORT) submitted a preliminary list of legislative bills that they want included in the priority agenda of the 19th Congress.
The trade leaders recommended the enactment of the PhilPorts Act (Philippine Ports Authority Charter Amendment), bills to strengthen the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and the International Maritime Trade Act, which is designed to enhance competition among transport and logistics companies and reduce shipping costs.
They said these reforms seek to hasten economic recovery and promote sustainability, but were sidelined by the elections and calamities that hit the country.
PCCI, ECOP and PHILEXPORT pushed for the creation of the PADC, a body that would ensure and accelerate the development of air transport facilities and services in the country.
In mid-November 2018, the House Committee on Government Enterprises & Privatization and the House Committee on Transportation jointly approved a substitute bill creating PADC, which would oversee the construction, maintenance and operation of airports in the country.
The measure seeks the creation of an airport management that would ensure and accelerate the development of air transport facilities and services in the country. Under the bill, PADC is tasked to undertake all types of business and development projects for the establishment of a reliable and more efficient airport industry.
The technical working group (TWG) of the joint panel, recommended to specify that the PADC’s functions and powers “will not include the control, supervision, maintenance and operation of air traffic facilities and navigation engineering.”
“There had been many delays already in pushing for these reforms as government and private sector got sidetracked by the election, disasters and hazards. We have also been hurt by policies that were implemented with no/insufficient stakeholder consultation,” the groups said in a joint letter sent to House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez a month ago.
The letter, signed by PCCI president George Barcelon, ECOP chair Edgardo Lacson and PHILEXPORT president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr., stressed the need to work double time to enact these priority measures.
They also signified the groups’ willingness to continue working with the government in recovery and reform efforts.
The letter also pressed for the approval of the Open Access in Data Transmission Act, Better Internet Act, and Satellite-Based Technologies for Internet Connectivity Act to address gaps in the information and communication technology infrastructure, improve internet services, and promote inclusive, affordable access to satellite technology in the country.
The trade leaders said it is important to prioritize passage of the Amendments to the Magna Carta for MSMEs, National Quality Infrastructure Act, Warehouse Receipts Act, and Amendments to Republic Act No. 9711, or the Food and Drug Administration Act.
“Crucial are ease of doing business, skills and education, infrastructure, environment and agri-related bills to help institutionalize reforms and accelerate developments in these sectors,” the letter said.
