The Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) welcomed the approval of several measures that aim to address the country’s socioeconomic development.
The group said it particularly supports three priority bills which were approved on the third and final reading by the House of Representatives as of March 19, as reported by House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
It said these include a bill imposing value-added tax on digital services, the E-Governance bill and a bill creating the Department of Water Resources and Services.
The PSAC Infrastructure Sector led by PSAC lead convenor and Aboitiz Group president and chief executive Sabin Aboitiz underscored the need for a national governing body for water resources since March of last year.
PSAC recommended that it be certified as urgent, while additionally suggesting the adoption of an Integrated Water Resources Management Program.
“As a member of the Private Sector Advisory Council, we help to urge swift action by recommending to the President the passing of key bills like digital service tax, E-Governance, and the Department of Water Resources. Establishing a national governing body for water resources is crucial for sustainable management,” said Aboitiz.
The bills will be taken up by the Senate for its approval.
Romualdez said the House has already taken up all but three of the 59 priority bills discussed in the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed into law 14 of them, including the recently passed Philippine Salt Industry Development Act and the New Philippine Passport Act.
Marcos established PSAC to create and strengthen innovative new synergies between the private and public sectors. The council consists of business leaders and experts from six main sectoral groups: agriculture, digital infrastructure, jobs, healthcare, Build-Build-Build and tourism.