Dindo Manhit (left), founder of the Stratbase Group, poses with some of the panel discussion participants during the second and final day of “Pilipinas Conference 2000.” (Photo by JEAN MANGALUZ / INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — Business leaders from major companies discussed ways to boost economic recovery through an ongoing COVID-19 pandemic during the second and final day of the “Pilipinas Conference 2022” organized by the Stratbase Albert Del Rosario Institute.
The panel discussion was moderated by lawyer Michael Toledo, the director for government relations and public affairs of Metro Pacific Investments Corp.
Cezar Consing, the president and CEO of Ayala Corp., recommended prioritizing proper resource allocation and investment over the consumption of goods.
Asked about how the government can encourage investment in domestic enterprises, Maira Aurora Geotina-Garcia, chair and president of the Women’s Economic Network, said that incentives could be effective in stimulating investments in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) — a big part of the manufacturing sector.
“Government should incentivize investment activities towards this area [production],” she said.
Cosette Canilao, the president and CEO of Aboitiz InfraCapita, said the government should clarify and streamline processes in order to lessen ambiguity. She also stressed the need to give workers the proper skills for jobs with more benefits.
Christian Razon Gonzalez, the executive vice president of the International Container Terminal Services, said that connectivity would be key.
“We need to… connect them in a way that the flow of goods to them and from them… is known,” Gonzales said.
Rizalina Mantaring, the treasurer of Makati Business Club, digitization would benefit both domestic and foreign markets.
Alfredo Panlilio, the president and CEO of PLDT, said that the government and the private sector could work together to improve the digital infrastructure of the country.