The Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) linked strong partnerships with the government towards economic growth.  Mr. Sabin Aboitiz – PSAC Lead Convenor and President and CEO of Aboitiz Group, laid out the country’s economic policy directions with the government. The PSAC focuses on six sectors, mainly on 1) Digitalization, 2) Basic Infrastructure, 3) Agriculture, 4) Healthcare, 5) Tourism, and 6) Jobs.

Mr. Aboitiz highlighted the advocacies envisioned under the Basic Infrastructure sector, i.e., streamlined processing of permits for telcos, the launch of the GoDigital Pilipinas (GDP), amendment on the Implementing Rules and Regulations for the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law, the creation of the Department of Water and the privatization of the operation and maintenance of airports. And for the Healthcare sector, PSAC aims for Philhealth’s digitalization, the ladderized program for nurses, the fully digitized FDA, and encouraged green lanes. 

Additionally, PSAC advocated the revival of holiday economics and the Value-Added Tax (VAT) Refund Program for foreign tourists, as well as replacing the military uniforms of Philippine Coast Guards in the airports. He also emphasized that Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) are vital in transforming our country into a valuable, efficient, responsible, and adaptable Philippines.

Public-private partnership is essential to achieve economic growth. Mr. Aboitiz remarked during the PCCI 2023 Economic Briefing held at the Makati Diamond Residences on February 26, 2023. “We believe in partnerships because they are not just about sharing the load, but about multiplying the impact”. AGPM