PCCI outlines legislative agenda for 20th Congress

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the largest business organization in the country, on Tuesday outlined its proposed economic measures for the 20th Congress as the country anticipates the final and official results of the 2025 midterm elections.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec), sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), on Tuesday started tallying the votes for senatorial candidates and party-list groups.

The NBOC is looking to proclaim all 12 winning senators by Saturday, May 17.

Meanwhile, winners in local legislative districts are already being proclaimed by the poll body.

In a statement, PCCI president Enunina Mangio said the group’s legislative agenda aims to support and promote competitiveness and business growth.

Mangio outlined the critical bills that the next Congress should prioritize, which include:

- Magna Carta for MSMEs to extend the mandatory allocation of MSME loans by banks and remove the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ regulatory cover on SB Corporation to allow it to extend MSME development loans within an “out-of-the-box” framework

- International Maritime Trade Competitiveness that mandates regulatory oversight of international shipping lines and ensure that the shipping charges are based on international best practices, reasonable and, subject to taxes, as these are charged at a local level

- PPA and CAAP Charter Amendment to decouple the regulatory oversight and developmental functions of the Philippine Ports Authority and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, adding that the developmental functions be given to a private entity that will be responsible for the development and commercial functions of ports —allowing PPA and CAAP to focus on their core function of regulatory oversight

- National Quality Infrastructure Act that will facilitate the access of our local products to global markets by ensuring that these meet international quality benchmarks/standards

- Rationalization of the Mining Fiscal Regime to finally have clarity and predictability in tax policies and enable long-term decisions in mining, where exploration to production can take five to 10 years.

“These are some of our wishes that hopefully, this new Congress will consider enacting. These reform measures are essential if we want to build a better and progressive economy,” Mangio said.

“At the most basic, leaders with integrity and good governance, are accessible and have constructive engagement with business, or at least have pro-business legislative track records that support reducing red tape and promote competition and SME growth,” she added.

The PCCI chief said that the country needs leaders who not only value good governance but also understand how laws impact the economy.

“Ideally, with good economic and financial literacy and understanding of global trade and investment because understanding how legislation affects the economy is crucial for drafting policies that encourage business development, job creation, and foreign investment,” Mangio said.

The PCCI chief cited key legislative achievements from the previous Congress that have positively impacted the business climate, such as the Ease of Doing Business Act, Public Service Act Amendments, and the TRAIN, CREATE, and CREATE MORE laws.  — VBL, GMA Integrated News