House Speaker Martin Romualdez. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has urged Filipino-Chinese business leaders to open ventures here in the country so that Filipinos would not need to go out of the country and leave their families to find a source of income.
Speaking before the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCII) 33rd biennial convention at the Manila Hotel on Friday, Romualdez meanwhile assured the business personalities that, in turn, the House of Representatives has been crafting and passing legislation that would help attract more businesses and investments.
“We hope we can count on the support of the federation in our efforts to open up the Philippine economy and create more jobs here so that there would be fewer and fewer of our countrymen who will grow up without their father or mother,” he said.
“We are currently pushing for the amendment of key economic provisions of the Constitution, which we view as restrictive, to make it easier for more businesses to set up shop in the country,” he added.
Romualdez cited the proposed Government Financial Unified Initiatives to Distressed Enterprises for Economic Recovery (GUIDE) and the Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso Act, which seek to assist businesses who may have been affected by the economic crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other external factors.
He also mentioned that the push for the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) would mean a lot for businesses, too, as they can invest money, which would bode well for private interests and the government.
“We are also pushing for the creation of the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF). In the House version transmitted to the Senate, businesses can invest in the MIF along with the government in viable instruments, with guaranteed dividends and part of the profits plowed back to strategic government projects,” he noted.
“These are just some of the initiatives we are undertaking at the House of Representatives. Make no mistake about it: we are committed to bringing about a brighter future for Filipinos and providing real, pragmatic solutions to many of the development problems that we face,” he added.
The Speaker has previously urged businesses to come into the Philippines and make investments. Last Tuesday, Romualdez told ambassadors of Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) member countries during a luncheon meeting that the House-approved laws have made the country fit for more investments.
READ: House approved legislation making PH ready for more investments, envoys told
Then last January, as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. went to the World Economic Forum, Romualdez said that the Philippines could lure investments even in the face of a projected global economic slowdown.
READ: Romualdez: PH can lure investments at WEF despite possible global slowdown
Romualdez also echoed the President’s catchphrase — unity — saying that such a mindset can help the country progress.
“Indeed, through unity, we can achieve development and prosperity that much faster. This is the same principle that we applied at the House of Representatives to facilitate the passage of landmark measures to hasten economic recovery. Be assured that your representatives know and understand the important role businesses play in sustaining national development,” he said.
He also thanked the federation for its programs, like creating school buildings in barrios.
“The school buildings that you have helped build go a long way towards ensuring that the country can look forward to an educated citizenry. On behalf of the beneficiaries, please accept our gratitude for your commitment and support to Philippine basic education,” he said.
“But the journey is made that much easier when we are one. And the burdens we carry become lighter when these are shared,” he told federation members.
“Please continue this mission of charity—for the socio-civic programs, for the education of the Filipino people. We the Filipino people are so indebted to you. You make us so proud to be Filipinos. You indeed embody the message of unity for the Philippines. Mabuhay po kayong lahat.”