The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has called on the government to end corruption in the bureaucracy, and eliminate redundant business names and tax registration processes, to support the growth and expansion of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
This was among the 13 proposals of the PCCI aimed at further uplifting MSMEs, based on the resolution it issued during the day to help institute changes in government.
Some of the proposals aimed at improving the business environment and ensuring ease of doing business are greater access for affordable financing through the Department of Finance, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and the Small Business Corp. (SB Corp); capacity-building through the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Tourism, and local governments to help MSMEs participate in regional and global value chains; and for DTI, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and local chambers of commerce to accelerate the sector’s digital transformation through targeted training, digital toolkits, and access to e-commerce platforms.
In terms of good governance and anti-corruption, the group urged the government “to put an end to unabated, continuing, and excessive corruption in government projects and transactions by instituting strict monitoring, transparency, and accountability mechanisms across all levels of governance.”
On digitalization and innovation, the government wa called upon “to invest in, regulate, and swiftly adapt Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation, and emerging digital technologies to enhance efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness in public service delivery, while fostering innovation, data sovereignty, and global competitiveness across both public and private sectors.”
To further support the agriculture and energy sectors, the PCCI encouraged the government “to adopt an integrated approach to strengthen the agriculture and energy sectors through innovation, investment, and sustainability to ensure food and energy security, enhance productivity, and improve national competitiveness.”
DIGITAL PUSH
Converge ICT CEO, who chaired the 51st Philippine Business Conference and Expo at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, said the need to empower businesses on digital technology is based on the fact that the country’s digital economy has been rising for several years already, with the 2024 expansion at 7.6 percent.
“This steady growth was primarily driven by digital-enabling infrastructure, e-commerce, digital content, and government digital services. There is no doubt that the future is digital. And that future is already here,” he said in his speech on Tuesday.
He also noted the importance of having a sovereign cloud, which will allow local data to be stored, processed, and protected within the country instead of having it stored and processed in infrastructure overseas.
He said having sovereign cloud “ensures that our national security, economic resilience, and public trust are not outsourced” as this benefits government agencies, banks, hospitals, local enterprises, and the national defense.
“And it matters even more in an era of AI, where data isn’t just a byproduct of activity, it’s the fuel for innovation, and the foundation of decision-making,” he said.
Uy said the country is “best positioned” for these digital enhancements because it is strategically located in an area where many international cables converge, it has a young and tech-savvy population, a fast-growing digital economy, strong government policy direction, and an active private sector that helps boost investments in data centers.
PIA PHOTO