PDP-Laban vows to push for economic reform agenda

Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III

MANILA — Sustaining economic growth alongside keeping peace and order will create more jobs and attract additional investments in much-needed infrastructure, according to the ruling PDP-Laban party.

As such, the PDP-Laban Research Planning and Development Institute, the ruling party’s think tank, announced in a statement over the weekend its push for key policy reforms seen to benefit the economy.

PDP-Laban is chaired by President 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 socioeconomic development,” Senate President and party president Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said.

The Duterte administration targets to slash poverty incidence to about 14 percent by 2022 from 21.6 percent last year through its 10-point socioeconomic agenda.

“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 added.

As such, PDP-Laban Research Planning and Development Institute said it had “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 R. Duterte.”

“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,” said Antonio Moncupa Jr., head of the PDP-Laban Research Planning and Development Institute. Moncupa is also president and chief executive of East West Banking Corp.

Moncupa said the PDP-Laban party “recognizes the urgency of putting in place badly needed reforms to spur economic growth.”

Moncupa listed the specific reforms being sought by the ruling party as follows: developing agricultural finance; encouraging entrepreneurship; implementing appropriate economic liberalization; improving ease of doing business; improving the tax efficiency of the country’s revenue-collecting agencies; increasing the capabilities of local government units; as well as ensuring competitive costs of energy, oil products, telecommunications and water.

The PDP-Laban party will also push to prioritize infrastructure, promote regional growth, and also strengthen anti-competition and anti-monopoly regulations, according to Moncupa.

“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,” according to Moncupa.

PDP-Laban stalwarts lead both houses of Congress, as the party’s secretary-general is House Speaker and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez.  SFM