Pangilinan seeks stronger PPPs

BUSINESSMAN Manuel Pangilinan said his group of companies will strengthen public-private partnerships (PPP) to help push economic progress in the new normal.

At the first-ever hybrid National PR Congress held recently, which featured him as one of the keynote speakers, Pangilinan emphasized the importance of PPP in boosting economic growth under the new administration.

“At this time that the consumer wallet is challenged, investments are needed — investments by the government and investments by the private sector. That will drive the economy in the next six years, moving forward,” Pangilinan said.

Speaking before a mix of onsite and virtual audience of thought leaders, chief executives, corporate communicators, PR practitioners and students form the Philippines and all over the world, Pangilinan also highlighted the key initiatives of his group of companies to help in nation-building.

The Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Investment Corp. recently entered into a strategic partnership with the Carmen’s Best Group in line with diversifying its investment portfolio to include the agriculture sector.

“Agriculture should certainly get more attention and investments for a number of reasons — because it’s out there in the hinterlands where most of our underserved people are located, and because we are focused on providing jobs,” he said.

Pangilinan also expressed satisfaction over the growth of digital services and digital banking, which pave the way for the identification of the needs of customers — including credit and lifeline credit. Pangilinan chairs PLDT and Smart, and financial technology (fintech) company Voyager Innovations, the unit behind Maya and Maya Bank.

He also disclosed the efforts of his hospital group to help improve the country’s health care system. These include the rollout of clinics designed to provide curative care and the development of affordable health insurance products for those who need it most.

Pangilinan likewise highlighted the importance of achieving economic independence amid the challenges of the pandemic and global supply chain disruptions.

“The supreme task of nation-building is something we’re very serious about trying to help as many people as we can, especially those below the line of poverty. I know that we cannot do it alone. We have to partner with the government because they’re the single largest component of this economy,” he said.

Pangilinan’s group of companies has investments in agribusiness, communications, fintech, health care, power, real estate, toll roads and water.