The ruling PDP-Laban political party will push key policy reforms to boost the economy.
The PDP Laban Research Planning and Development Institute, the party’s think tank, outlined a broad program of government that aims to boost job creation, spur investments particularly in infrastructure, and promote the “democratic socialist agenda” of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“PDP-Laban is in the process of putting in place the necessary measures in the form of policy reforms to implement President Duterte’s vision of inclusive socio-economic development,” said Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, PDP Laban president.
“The party’s overall program of government is anchored on two critical areas—economic development and law and order. These two areas go hand-in-hand and are critical in achieving the President’s vision for the country,” Antonio Moncupa Jr., institute head, said.
Moncupa said the party recognized the urgency of putting in place badly needed reforms to spur economic growth.
Among the programs that PDP-Laban is pushing are improving the tax efficiency of the country’s revenue collecting agencies, increasing the capabilities of local government units, prioritizing infrastructure, developing agricultural finance, and encouraging entrepreneurship
The ruling party also aims to improve the ease of doing business, promote regional growth, implemente appropriate economic liberalization, strengthen anti-competition and anti-monopoly regulations, and ensure competitive costs of energy, telecommunications, water and oil products.
“Most of these programs will be realized once we present the detailed proposal to the President and to leaders of Congress for appropriate action. PDP-Laban hopes to establish this national framework for socio-economic growth sooner than later,” Moncupa said.
President Duterte is the party chairman while Pimentel and Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez are party president and secretary-general, respectively.
“Never has the country had a greater opportunity to institute genuine change than now. We believe it is now the party’s responsibility and obligation to the Filipino people to implement change through critical policy reforms that will ultimately benefit the Filipino nation and the people,” Pimentel said.