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PCCI seeks more power for local governments

By Ayen Infante

10/22/2009

Business leaders gathered at the ongoing 35th Philippine Business Conference stressed the need to empower local government units in dealing with businesses since LGUs know more of the real requirement of businesses in their localities.

Giving LGUs more independence should serve as the solid foundation for long-term economic transformation of the country.

Speaking at the opening day of the 35th Philippine Business Conference and Expo at the Manila Hotel the other day, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) president Edgardo Lacson said giving LGUs more power on regulating business is one of the wish list item of the business community that calls for a unified effort that would involve the government, private sector, academe and other institutions in achieving a broad-base economic objective.

Strengthening the role of LGUs, Lacson said could even serve as a key ingredient in creating and promoting the fundamental elements for economic prosperity that would yield increased opportunity, higher productivity, effective governance and civic engagement.

Despite the recent heavy flooding in Metro Manila, central and northern Luzon brought by strong typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng,” the business community was challenged to push with this year’s focus on regional economic development.

Lacson said the challenges confronting the business community serve as catalysts to introduce various programs and projects to assist industries that were heavily affected.

To tap the cooperation of the LGUs, PCCI plans to urge local government leaders to waive if not ease the tax burden of businesses in affected areas while industries are still recovering.

With this year’s theme “One, Global, Filipino — Regional Economic Development — Frontline to Sustainability,” PCCI plans to focus on regional communities to give them the importance and relevance in the nation’s progress.

Apart from this, Lacson said among the resolutions that would be presented to President Arroyo would include immediate steps that government can implement as well as measures that can be implemented over the long term in the areas of food security and agriculture; infrastructure development, re-engineered education, and in energy and utilities.

In the area of food security, the group urged government to immediately allocate substantial resources to rehabilitate affected areas and crops in Luzon.

PCCI said the government must address logistical issues that serve as deterrents to more efficient transport of food products from Visayas and Mindanao.

In the area of infrastructure development, the group wants the government to speed up the bidding of the LRT1 South Extension; MRT2 North and South Extensions; Caticlan runway extension and the Nlex extension to Pangasinan.

The group is also calling on government to ensure reliable power supply throughout the country as well as reduce power costs by lowering government royalties from indigenous energy sources.

In international trade, the group called on government to advance the interests, concerns and positions of local industries on the various economic and trade-related strategies and initiatives.

PCCI will call on Congress to pass several pending legislations before it closes its sessions, including the Amendments to the BSP Charter Bill; Anti-Smuggling Bill; Land Use Bill; and OECD Tax Compliance Amendments.