Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez (File photo)
MANILA — Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said the next administration will reap the benefits of major economic reforms legislated in the past six years.
“Makikita natin ‘yong benepisyo ng mga reporma natin sa next administration (We will see the benefits of our reforms in the next administration),” Lopez said during the Laging Handa public briefing Wednesday.
He cited key economic reforms that were recently passed, including the amendments on Retail Trade Liberalization Act, Foreign Investments Act, and Public Service Act that target to attract more foreign investors to set up their operations in the country.
The Ease of Doing Business Law and the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Law also improve the country’s business climate by accelerating the process of doing business here and making tax rates for businesses more competitive.
“Importante dito hindi mare-verse, hindi mabaliktad itong mga reporma sa panahon ng Pangulong Duterte, mapagpatuloy in the next administration (What is important is these reforms during the term of President Rodrigo Duterte would not be reversed and be continued in the next administration),” Lopez added.
He said whoever wins in the May 9 polls, there will be continuity in the business environment in the country despite the change in administration by June this year.
Lopez added that based on the platforms of presidential candidates, they are all advocating for job creation and improvement of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“Kung anong makakabuti para sa’ ting mga kababayan ‘yon po ang kanilang mga plataporma… In fact, naririnig din natin MSME development. Lahat sila ay sumusuporta sa ganitong mga programa at polisiya at lahat ito ay will create more jobs. Kaya nakikita natin itong continuity nitong priority agenda na ito kahit sino po ang manalo (Whatever is for the betterment of our countrymen, that is their platforms… In fact, we also hear about MSME development. All of them are supporting these kinds of programs and policies, and these will create more jobs. That is why we see continuity in our priority agenda whoever wins in the elections),” the DTI chief said. (PNA)
