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Arangkada Progress Report
Public-Private Partnership Monitor
arangkadaphilippines.com/PPP
Ensuring transparency of public-private partnerships (PPPs) gives Filipinos more opportunities to access modern infrastructure. Adequate power and water supply, improved transportation systems, and telecommunications respond to the needs of a growing urban population. [ Check Progress ]
Legislative Reform Tracker
arangkadaphilippines.com/reform
The Arangkada Philippines supports legislative developments that encourage investment and job creation. Timely enactment of new laws and amendment of existing ones are crucial factors in sustaining the Philippine economy as well as boosting the country’s global competitiveness. [ Check Progress ]News Updates
PCC Policy Note no.1 | Anti-Competitive Effects...
Posted on 9 October, 2017 at 17:00
The licensing rules implemented by the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) contain a nationality distinction in its classification of licenses that has deleterious effects on competition in the construction sector.
Duterte’s satisfaction, trust ratings drop – SWS
Posted on 9 October, 2017 at 15:09
A September 2017 survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed a drop in both the net satisfaction rating and net trust rating of President Rodrigo Duterte.
‘Liberalizing retail trade not a government priority’
Posted on 9 October, 2017 at 15:00
Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said the government can look into other sectors that can be opened to foreign investors, instead of liberalizing retail trade.
[EDITORIAL] Marawi, breeding ground
Posted on 9 October, 2017 at 13:00
It’s only a matter of days, different spokespersons for the military and even the defense secretary himself said: The end of the Marawi conflict is near.
[OPINION] Competitiveness
Posted on 9 October, 2017 at 12:00
I arrived in this city past midnight last Thursday curious to see what makes this once war-torn country so attractive to foreign investors.
[EDITORIAL] Remember the socioeconomic agenda
Posted on 9 October, 2017 at 10:54
Business confidence remains up and the stock market is hitting new highs. Recent political turbulence, however, is starting to stir concern in the business community.
Business icon Washington SyCip dies at 96
Posted on 9 October, 2017 at 09:52
Leading Filipino-Chinese business icon Washington SyCip died at the age of 96, people close to the businessman confirmed Sunday, October 8.
ECCP lauds further easing of foreign limits...
Posted on 6 October, 2017 at 16:00
The entry of more foreign retailers will benefit the Philippine economy as it will create more jobs and boost the spending power of consumers, an official of a top foreign business group said.
Retail liberalization to hurt MSMEs
Posted on 6 October, 2017 at 14:00
The move to liberalize retail trade in favor of foreign investors would harm local micro, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), reversing “the gains of the past years” at a time…
[OPINION] Between Bato and a hard place
Posted on 6 October, 2017 at 12:00
For a couple of days now, the PNP Chief has been belching fire at the media, the public, and anyone else critical of the casualties on the “war on drugs.”
Rody changes tune, wants friendlier ties with...
Posted on 6 October, 2017 at 10:09
After repeatedly cursing at the United States for supposedly meddling in Philippine affairs, President Duterte is now adopting a friendlier stance toward Washington as he acknowledged that the superpower has been helpful to the Philippines.
[OPINION] Bid Bid Bid
Posted on 5 October, 2017 at 16:00
The DOTr lawyer, who also acts as the department’s PR person, wrote in her letter to my editor that I must understand “It is likewise important to note that government processes take time…
Foreign Internet providers waiting to enter PH...
Posted on 5 October, 2017 at 14:00
President Duterte said that foreign Internet service providers were trying to enter the local game but weren’t able to due to inaction by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
MGB: No need to declare ‘mining-free zones’
Posted on 5 October, 2017 at 10:58
Even if Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu already said that he will evaluate pending measures in Congress seeking to declare certain areas in the country “mining-free zones”…
[OPINION] A PSA on the Public Services...
Posted on 4 October, 2017 at 17:00
The World Economic Forum (WEF) released its 2017-2018 edition of the Global Competitiveness Index last week, and the results are hardly surprising.
CA confirms Roy Cimatu as environment secretary
Posted on 4 October, 2017 at 15:45
The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday, October 4, confirmed the ad interim appointment of Roy Cimatu as environment secretary.
AmCham backs tax reform plan
Posted on 4 October, 2017 at 14:00
The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) has expressed its support for the first package of the Duterte administration’s comprehensive tax reform program, the Department of Finance (DOF) said.
[OPINION] Declassifying public utilities
Posted on 4 October, 2017 at 12:00
A bill was recently passed in the House of Representatives seeking to amend the 81-year-old Public Services Act to provide a statutory definition of a public utility.
Passage of bill amending PCIC charter pushed
Posted on 4 October, 2017 at 09:50
A lawmaker urged Congress to pass a measure that would amend the charter of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) so it could offer index-based insurance coverage and allow it to engage in reinsurance.
China to PHL: Remove hurdles to infrastructure...
Posted on 29 September, 2017 at 17:00
The Philippine government must address “challenging issues” to ensure that projects funded by concessional loans from China would proceed according to schedule, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua said.
Vietnam beats PHL in competitiveness
Posted on 29 September, 2017 at 15:00
The Philippines climbed a rung in the World Economic Forum’s annual competitiveness roster this year even as the country’s score slipped, allowing Vietnam and Brunei Darussalam to jump over it.
[OPINION] DepEd underspends too
Posted on 29 September, 2017 at 13:00
Old excuses are falling by the wayside. In the past, the reason why we did not have enough classrooms is because there was not enough money to build. Civic groups pool funds to build some of the classrooms.
Philippines, Japan agree to speed up infrastructure...
Posted on 29 September, 2017 at 10:37
Manila and Tokyo have agreed to further speed up the approval and implementation of the Philippine government’s infrastructure projects proposed for Japan’s funding assistance, the Department of Finance (DOF) said yesterday.
BPO sector forecast to rebound in early...
Posted on 28 September, 2017 at 17:37
The Philippine business process outsourcing (BPO) industry is likely to rebound by early 2018 after a “rebalancing” phase arising from a perceived escalation of “country risk” amid some concerns on the peace…
[OPINION] Redefining Rights
Posted on 28 September, 2017 at 14:14
Security, the Philippines told the United Nations, need not be incompatible with human rights.
Business, foreign chambers umbrella group cautions Congress...
Posted on 28 September, 2017 at 12:07
One of the biggest umbrella groups advocating much-needed reforms in the Philippine justice system, particularly those that impact the business sector, has urged Congress to exercise its impeachment powers under the Constitution…
PH one spot higher in Global Competitiveness...
Posted on 27 September, 2017 at 10:08
The Global Competitiveness Report 2017-2018, published today, sees the Philippines going up in global competitiveness rankings by 1 notch, from 57th in 2016 to 56th in 2017.
[INFOGRAPHIC] 2017 Global Impunity Index
Posted on 26 September, 2017 at 13:00
2017 Global Impunity rankings Inforgraphic
[OPINION] Mulling over the ‘F’ word
Posted on 26 September, 2017 at 10:00
This is not about the four-letter one, but the much longer “F” word now prominent in current political discussions. As if to highlight the confused state of public discourse on the issue, a recent University of the Philippines forum asked…
[OPINION] Who’s Afraid of a Weak Peso?
Posted on 26 September, 2017 at 08:00
Once upon a time, I was a co-panelist of Mr. Ronnie Concepcion in a program hosted by Ms. Kris Aquino. I don’t remember what transpired during the televised discussion but vivid in my memory was my brief exchange with Ronnie before…
PH economy remains on track for expansion,...
Posted on 25 September, 2017 at 17:00
The Philippines looked set to becoming an upper middle-income economy by the end of the Duterte administration, according to former central bank governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr.
[OPINION] Improving the investment climate
Posted on 25 September, 2017 at 15:00
The National Competitiveness Council has been tracking the Philippines’ progress across various global indices since 2010, and by most indicators it has gone up the rankings over this period.
BPO exec criticizes ‘grandfather’ clause in Senate’s...
Posted on 25 September, 2017 at 13:00
The Senate version of the administration’s first tax reform package would be keeping a crucial tax perk enjoyed by a subsector of the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, albeit it would not be extended to new job offers starting next year.
Philippines revives plan to join Trans-Pacific trade...
Posted on 25 September, 2017 at 10:54
The Philippines is reviving its plan to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) even as the mega-trade deal pushes through without the US, the Department of Trade and Industry said.
[OPINION] BPO sector at risk
Posted on 22 September, 2017 at 16:37
A series of events during the past months is nibbling at our once-unshakeable optimism for the country’s business process outsourcing industry.
Tetangco receives lifetime achievement award from JFC
Posted on 22 September, 2017 at 11:14
Former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) governor Amando Tetangco Jr. has been awarded the Arangkada Philippines Lifetime Achievement award by the Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) of the Philippines.
[VIDEO] Vietnam, Myanmar more attractive than PH...
Posted on 21 September, 2017 at 15:38
Bloomberg TV Philippines – In the Loop | September 18, 2017
Commentary: Enhancing human capital in the 10-point...
Posted on 21 September, 2017 at 14:00
What do we need to advance this country over the long term?
[OPINION] The healthcare business
Posted on 21 September, 2017 at 12:00
A change has been happening over the last decade or so in the healthcare business that is probably for the better. Conglomerates are buying hospitals and introducing efficient business practices in the process.
[OPINION] The investment and infrastructure challenges in...
Posted on 21 September, 2017 at 09:54
In the medium term, the government is aiming to reach an annual GDP growth of between 7% and 8%. These rates are higher than we’ve seen in recent years, but our officials are optimistic.
Investment pledges jump 38% as of Aug
Posted on 20 September, 2017 at 15:00
Projects approved by the Board of Investments (BOI) jumped 38 percent in eight months ending August this year as investors remain enticed with the government’s aggressive infrastructure spending program.
[OPINION] Attracting FDI
Posted on 20 September, 2017 at 13:38
If you believe the press releases of government and some in the private sector, the economy is doing great. Not even the weak peso is a problem… and is even a blessing.
Foreign investment pledges down
Posted on 19 September, 2017 at 12:00
Investment pledges made by foreign firms slid 55 percent year-on-year to P18.2 billion in the second quarter, the fourth straight quarter that commitments dropped.
[EDITORIAL] Wrong signal
Posted on 19 September, 2017 at 10:16
Before the budget of the Commission on Human Rights was slashed to a mere P1,000 by the House of Representatives, the CHR faced only a 10-percent cut (to P649.48 million), as the Department of Budget and Management had proposed.
FDI pledges more than halved in second...
Posted on 18 September, 2017 at 12:00
Committed foreign direct investments (FDI) dropped by more than a half annually in the three months to June, marking the fourth straight quarter of decline, while pledges by local investors surged 55%, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Friday.
Pernia rejects draft RFINL for being ‘too...
Posted on 18 September, 2017 at 10:20
The Duterte administration wants to adopt a more aggressive stance when it comes to reducing the country’s Regular Foreign Investment Negative List (RFINL), according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).
House panel OKs impeachment complaint vs Sereno,...
Posted on 15 September, 2017 at 16:26
The justice committee of the House of Representatives gave the green light to the impeachment complaint filed against Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno …
At least $10 B yearly FDI possible...
Posted on 15 September, 2017 at 12:00
The Philippines can easily attract at least $10 billion in foreign direct investments (FDI) annually once existing restrictions and improvement on its overall competitiveness are addressed, the Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) of the Philippines said.
Foreign chambers pitch reforms to Duterte gov’t
Posted on 15 September, 2017 at 10:47
Foreign business chambers in the country yesterday set the tone for engagement with the over one-year-old government of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, unveiling reform proposals under their continuing
Gov’t urged to prioritize construction of annex...
Posted on 14 September, 2017 at 22:01
The government should prioritize the development of the remaining spaces at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport into an annex terminal while it is still weighing the two proposals to build new airports either in Sangley Point or Bulacan.
[LIVESTREAM] The Arangkada Philippines Forum 2017
Posted on 14 September, 2017 at 11:00
Streaming Video
[DOCUMENT] Arangkada Philippines and the Ten-Point Socio-Economic...
Posted on 14 September, 2017 at 06:00
DOWNLOAD PUBLICATION
Online trade platform ready by Dec.
Posted on 12 September, 2017 at 14:57
The government’s online platform which seeks to computerize and speed up the processes involved in the issuance of permits for imports and exports is expected to be launched and to be fully operational by December, the Department of Finance said.
[OPINION] Subway
Posted on 12 September, 2017 at 12:30
At last, a subway for us… the commuter line, not the sandwich. NEDA has finally approved the first phase of the subway project for Metro Manila. Compared with the Roxas-Abaya era at the transport department
DICT eyes PPP mode for broadband plan
Posted on 12 September, 2017 at 11:02
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is looking at using the public-private partnership (PPP) mode for the implementation of a component of the National Broadband Plan (NBP).
[OPINION] Who is winning the war in...
Posted on 11 September, 2017 at 12:00
Who is winning the war in Marawi? By: Macabangkit B. Lanto – @inquirerdotnet | Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:24 AM September 07,
Latest Ookla report: Speed of broadband in...
Posted on 11 September, 2017 at 10:36
The country’s broadband speed is “significantly improving,” according to Ookla’s latest Speedtest Global Index report.
Gov’t to remove restrictions on FINL to...
Posted on 8 September, 2017 at 12:28
Gov’t to remove restrictions on FINL to expedite infra programs By: Ben O. de Vera – Reporter / @bendeveraINQ | Philippine Daily
NEDA OKs P355.6-billion metro subway project
Posted on 7 September, 2017 at 14:30
A project that will build the country’s first subway system is now one step behind construction after a government body approved it for implementation by 2018, the National Economic and Development Authority said on Wednesday.
Bloated legislature to make federal government costlier...
Posted on 7 September, 2017 at 13:30
When it comes to financing a federal form of government, state-owned think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) said size matters, with the additional cost to be incurred from…
