Biz groups want new telco player, end to Marawi siege

The Philippine business sector on Wednesday proposed a new set of action programs for the Duterte administration to adopt.

"In this day-long discussion, we have initially worked on another set of action programs," Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said in a briefing on the sidelines of the Philippine Development Forum 2017 in Mandaluyong City.

The series of meetings and consultations were done with representatives of the business sector.

George Barcelon, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the chamber is positive that the government will continue working closely with the business sector.

"The partnership between government and private is very strong," he said in the same briefing. "From the private sector side, we have been diligently doing our part in the collaboration ... As long as what we're seeing is moving, we feel confident," he added.

Among the actions the business sector is urging the government to adopt are the following:

• Identify best competitive advantages versus ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) other member states

• Improve ease of doing business by converging different agencies, including LGUs (local government units)

• Complete the C6 (Circumferential Road 6) from Skyway-FTI in Taguig to Batasan Complex in Quezon City

• Allow a new player in the telecom industry

• Improve agricultural support infrastructure and services such as farm-to-market roads, cold storage, and irrigation to facilitate distribution of agricultural products

The business sector also urged the administration to action on social services:

• Improve health services and expand access to healthcare

• Address job-skills mismatch

• Improve land tenure security in all areas

• Intensify and speed up resolution of the armed conflict in Marawi

• Provide farmers and fisherfolk with more assistance

"I think the business group is looking to be very competitive in the ASEAN, as one competitive unit in the Philippines," Dominguez said.

The list will be presented before President Rodrigo Duterte this afternoon. — VDS, GMA News