MANILA, Philippines — Positibo sa kabuuan ang pagtanggap ng mga lokal at dayuhang business group sa ikalimang State of the Nation Address ni Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., ngunit iginiit nilang kailangan ang malinaw na pagpapatupad, magkakatugmang polisiya, at mas malalim na reporma upang mapanatili ang paglago ng ekonomiya.
Sinuportahan ng mga grupo ang pagtutok ng Pangulo sa investment competitiveness, paglikha ng trabaho, energy security, imprastraktura, agrikultura, healthcare, at tulong sa micro, small, and medium enterprises.
Gayunman, sinabi ng Makati Business Club (MBC) na may “hits and misses” ang SONA dahil hindi lubos na natalakay ang mga usapin sa Pax Silica, Luzon Economic Corridor, safeguards matapos ang audit suspensions, bicameral conference transparency, at limitasyon sa unprogrammed o discretionary funds.
“President Marcos Jr. set a crucial tone of accountability at the outset of his address after a year of investigations into flood control and calls for governance reform. We also laud his reaffirmation of national sovereignty through international law and support the administration’s focus on workforce readiness, agricultural development, ease of doing business, and energy security,” sinabi ni MBC Executive Director Julia Abad.
“However, turning these commitments into sustained economic growth requires further reforms with a view to sustained, long-term implementation. We urge the administration to advance key policies, including the Right to Information Act, institutionalization of bicameral budget transparency and limits to unprogrammed discretionary funds, structural BIR audit safeguards, and bank secrecy reforms, to build strong foundations for effective governance, strengthen investor confidence and ensure long-term competitiveness,” dagdag niya.
Sinuportahan din ng Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) ang pagtutok ni Marcos sa governance reforms at ekonomiya, ngunit sinabi nitong nakasalalay sa aktuwal na pagpapatupad ang tagumpay ng mga programa.
“The challenge now is execution. Businesses are looking for clear implementation timelines, policy consistency, and close collaboration between government and the private sector,” ayon sa MAP.
“We hope Congress will quickly translate these priorities into legislation where needed, while the Executive ensures that programs are implemented efficiently and their benefits are felt by ordinary Filipinos,” dagdag nito.
Kabilang sa mga panawagan ni Marcos ang pag-amyenda sa Electric Power Industry Reform Act upang hindi na ipasa sa mga consumer ang system loss charges at kaugnay na value-added tax. Hiniling din niya ang pagtaas sa taunang income tax exemption threshold upang madagdagan ang take-home pay ng middle class.
“The SONA leaned more toward immediate socioeconomic concerns, which reflects the realities many Filipinos face today,” sinabi ng MAP.
“Moving forward, we hope this is complemented by a stronger emphasis on long-term economic reforms that improve the investment climate, strengthen MSMEs, accelerate infrastructure and digital transformation, and make the Philippines more competitive globally,” dagdag nito.
Sinuportahan naman ng American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines ang panukalang amyendahan ang EPIRA at ipagpatuloy ang pamumuhunan sa enerhiya at imprastraktura. Gayunman, nanawagan ito ng tuloy-tuloy na reporma sa cybersecurity, digital economy, National Single Window System, at pagpapatupad ng Ease of Doing Business Act, CREATE MORE, at Ease of Paying Taxes Act.
“We remain committed to working with the administration, Congress, and our partner government agencies to translate these priorities into concrete policies, effective implementation, and measurable improvements in the Philippine business environment,” ayon sa AmCham.
Pinuri rin ng European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines ang pagtutok sa accountability, energy security, at imprastraktura, ngunit binigyang-diin ang pangangailangan ng tuloy-tuloy na pagpapatupad, predictable rules, at konsultasyon sa pribadong sektor.
“The President set out a clear direction: a Philippines that is more secure, more self-sufficient, and better prepared for shocks beyond its control,” sinabi ni ECCP President Dr. Diana Edralin.
“European businesses share that goal and are ready to contribute capital, technology, and expertise. What will make the difference over the next two years is steady implementation, predictable rules, and continued consultation between the government and the private sector,” dagdag niya.
Mixed naman ang galaw ng financial markets nitong Martes. Bumaba ng 10.87 puntos o 0.17% ang Philippine Stock Exchange index sa 6,304.03, habang lumakas ang piso sa P61.60 kada US dollar mula P61.675 noong Lunes. Dave Baluyot
