Resolutions passed by the 43rd Philippine Business Conference

The following are the resolutions passed by the two-day 43rd Philippine Business Conference of the Philippine Chamber of Commere and Industry which closed at the Manila Hotel:

Agriculture 1. RESOLUTION requesting the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to fully implement the Agribusiness Support for Promotion and Investment in Regional Expo (ASPIRE) nationwide by undertaking the following initiatives:

•Identify the priority commodities of the regions that would be given assistance and interventions through the use of geo mapping/tagging and make the information available to the private sector;

•Create database and market profiling that would be readily accessible to farmers, producers and end users;

•Create a centralized monitoring mechanism that would document compliance and accomplishment of ASPIRE deliverables.

Education

2. RESOLUTION urging the National Government and the Department of Education to strengthen health and nutrition program in public elementary schools in order to improve their ability to learn. RESOLVE FURTHER TO and give more impetus to the K to 12 Program by making available industryrelevant facilities with emphasis on Technical Vocational courses.

Energy and Power

3. RESOLUTION urging the National Government, the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Finance (DOF) to expedite the resolution of the Malampaya Tax issue between the DOE and the Malampaya Gas Service Contractors in order to uphold sanctity of contracts and encourage investments and release economic opportunities, especially in the upstream side of the energy sector.

4. RESOLUTION enjoining the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to expedite the decision on eight (8) Power Supply Agreements with a total capacity of 3,551 MW that are pending with the Commission in order to assure adequate and reliable power and sustain the country’s economic expansion.

Environment 5. RESOLUTION urging the Local Government Units to implement the provisions of RA 9003 in order to address the land based wastes which contributes to marine litter issue. Urging the National Solid Waste Management Commission to monitor the implementation of the solid waste management plans of the local government units.

Industry Development 6. RESOLUTION urging the National Government to fastrackthe Presidential Proclamation of economic zone applications already approved by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to create more economic opportunities especially in the regions.

7. RESOLUTION urging the DOF and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to reconsider the implementation Pre-shipment Inspection, which is not consistent with the Revised Kyoto Convention and in lieu thereof apply the following measures to effectively combat smuggling while facilitating trade:

•Apply the principle of risk management to make effective interventions in the supply chain without constraining legitimate trade

•Focus on fastracking efforts to modernize customs administration and implement institutional reforms. Maximize the use of ICT and nonintrusive technology

•Utilize X-ray machines to ensure the integrity of cargoes’ content

•Adopt trade facilitation measures such as the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) system, advance lodgement and clearance using modern and relevant information communication technology (ICT)-based systems

Legislative 8. RESOLUTION urging the House of Representatives and the Senate for the enactment into law of the following priority business legislative measures:

•Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act •Public Service Act (PSA) •Act creating Regional Investment and Infrastructure Corporation of Central Luzon

•Amendment of the Local Government Code •Expanded Anti-Red Tape Act •Customs Amnesty Act •Estate Tax Amnesty •Granting Amnesty on All Unpaid Internal Revenue Taxes Imposed by the National Government for Taxable Year 2015 and Prior Years

SME Development

9. RESOLUTION urging the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Local Government Units to review, simplify and streamline processes, requirements, and fees in business registrations, licenses and closures.

Transportation and Logistics

10. RESOLUTION urging the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to issue a joint department order on publishing international shipping fees and other charges in order for traders, importers and exporters to choose which shipping lines offer fair and reasonable rate.