An Arangkada presentation by John D. Forbes at FINEX October 14, 2011

1. Opportunities in the
Arangkada Growth Sectors
John D. Forbes
Principal Author
Senior Adviser
Investment Climate Improvement Project
American Chamber of Commerce
john@arangkadaphilippines.com
FINEX 43rd ANNUAL CONFERENCE PROGRAM
Philippine Investment Challenge:
Building the Momentum
October 13-14, 2011
Marriot Hotel, Manila

2. Arangkada Philippines 2010 is about the Seven Big
Winner Sectors, with hundreds of tables, maps, and
illustrations, 470 pages of text, and 471
recommendations.
It is a collaborative effort by over 300 domestic and
foreign investors who participated over 6 months in
9 Focus Group Discussions.
Arangkada envisions a Philippines realizing the full
potential of its people and resources and gaining its
proper place alongside Southeast Asia’s other large
middle income economies.
Accelerating, moving faster, even twice as fast, is the
main theme of Arangkada.

4. Part 1: Growing Too Slow
Part 2: Becoming More Competitive
Part 3: Seven Big Winner Sectors
Part 4: General Business Environment

6. Real GDP Growth, ASEAN-6
Real GDP growth rates, ASEAN-6
Singapore Thailand
20% Philippines Malaysia
15% Vietnam Indonesia
10%
5%
0%
-5%
-10%
-15% 1995
2008
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2009
2010
Philippine GDP growth has caught up with the ASEAN region.
Philippine growth in the 90s was lowest of ASEAN-6. In last
decade it improved, reaching 7.4% in 2010.
Arangkada advocates achieving 9-10% annual growth.
First half 2011 at 4.9% is only half this target. . Twice as fast
(4.6% 2001-mid-2010)

7. Growth has not trickled down. Poverty remains high..
Philippines has made less progress than other ASEANs in reducing
poverty. Future growth should be more inclusive..
70%
Philippines
60%
Vietnam
50% Indonesia
Malaysia
40%
Thailand
30%
20%
10%
0%
1990-1995 1996-2000 2001-2003 2004-2006
Sources: PovcalNet (World Bank); Balisacan, Arsenio "Pathways out of Poverty." 2008; UNICEF for the
urban-rural population distribution in Indonesia

8. FDI, Bn US$
% of 2010 Ave. FDI % of Regional Ave. 2000-
ASEAN-6 Countries 2010 Total 2000-2010 2010
Indonesia 13.3 17.3% 3.8 9.5%
Malaysia 9.1 11.9% 4.7 11.6%
Philippines 1.7 2.2% 1.6 4.1%
Singapore 38.6 50.3% 19.6 48.8%
Thailand 5.8 7.6% 6.5 16.1%
Vietnam 8.2 10.7% 3.9 9.8%
Total 76.7 100.0% 40.1 100.0%
Source: UNCTAD

9. FDI, Bn US$
16 Indonesia Vietnam
14
12 Malaysia Thailand
10 Philippines
8
6
4
2
0
-2
-4
-6
Source: UNCTAD

10. See Interactive Map of ASEAN-6 FDI, Percentage of Regional FDI, 2000-2010

11. Creating Quality Jobs. Labor force of 38 million
has increased 50% since 1990 and is projected to
grow to 54 million in 2030.
Doubling investment. Philippines FDI inflows are
weakest of ASEAN-6. Domestic investment ratio
lowest among ASEAN-6.
Remittances are doubled-edge sword. They
support a GDP growth floor, but lead to
complacency to avoid reforms needed to create
good jobs at home.
Increasing and diversifying exports, which are
over-dependent on electronics.

12. Headline Recommendations
1. The new Philippine administration should consider adopting as a major high priority
policy goal doubling the GDP growth rate to 9 percent and adopt and implement a plan
to achieve this within 3 years. This has to be supported by a clear long-term industry
policy.
2. Job creation by the private sector should receive extremely high priority, to reduce
unemployment and underemployment by 50% and to give Filipinos more alternatives to
working abroad.
3. FDI should be targeted to reach over US$ 7 billion a year in 3-4 years. FDI should also be
measured in terms of job creation and exports (products and services) generated.
4. An export target of US$ 100 billion in 5-6 years should be set, with more diversified
exports and new markets.
5. Adequate funds should be made available for international promotion of Philippine
exports, inwards investments and tourism, medical travel and retirement programs.
6. A significant share of remittances should be channeled into productive investments in
the domestic economy through bonds and other funds.
7. Double funds available for physical and social infrastructure, civil service quality
improvement, investment, tourism and trade promotion, and other growth-promoting
expenditures through less waste in government spending, more effective tax collection,
and selectively increasing the Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT), before other taxes.
8. Public and private sectors should organize a Special Experts Group comprising
economic, business, labor, and government leaders to recommend key reforms to make

14. Global competitiveness surveys, Philippine rankings
*Red Font = Surveys monitored by National Competitiveness Council
Previous RP ASEAN-6
Survey Title Years ranking Recent RP ranking position Trend
ASEAN Regional Survey 2003-10 N/A N/A N/A N/A
Best Countries for Business 2008-10 84 of 127 91 of 128 5 of 6 Deteriorating
Failed States Index 2006-11 53 of 177 51 of 177 6 of 6 Improved
Index of Economic Freedom 2001-11 109 of 179 115 of 179 4 of 6 Deteriorating
*World Competitiveness
Yearbook 2001-11 39 of 58 41 of 59 5 of 5 Deteriorating
International Property Rights 2007-11 80 of 115 87 of 129 6 of 6 Stable
*Corruption Perception Index 2001-11 139 of 180 To be released Oct. 26, 2011 - -
Human Development Report 2001-11 105 of 182 To be released Nov. 9, 2011 - -
E-governance Readiness
Survey 2002-11 78 of 183 To be released in 2012 (biennial) - -
Doing Business 2007-11 144 of 183 To be released Nov. 4, 2011 - -
Investing Across Borders 2011 87 countries N/A N/A N/A
Paying Taxes 2008-11 135 of 183 124 of 183 4 of 6 Improved
Worldwide Governance
Indicators 2002-11 212 countries To be updated June 12, 2012 N/A N/A
*Global Competitiveness Improved by
Report 2001-11 85 of 139 75 of 142 6 of 6 10
Global Enabling Trade Report 2008-11 82 of 125 To be released Nov. 1, 2011 - -
Travel & Tourism
Competitiveness 2007-11 86 of 133 94 of 139 6 of 6 Deteriorating
Environmental Performance

15. ASEAN-6 Countries Overall Rank/142 Road Railroad Seaports Airports Electricity Telephone Mobile
Indonesia 82 83 52 103 80 98 79 82
Malaysia 23 18 18 15 20 38 78 40
Philippines 113 100 101 123 115 104 103 92
Singapore 2 2 7 1 1 4 27 15
Thailand 47 37 63 47 32 50 94 70
Vietnam 123 123 71 111 95 109 70 5
Philippines' Ranking 5 of 6 5 of 6 6 of 6 6 of 6 6 of 6 5 of 6 6 of 6 6 of 6
Source: WEF, Global Competitiveness Report 2011-2012
NB: A total of 142 countries were ranked in the WEF GCR

16. Undertake aggressive efforts to improve rankings
much faster.
Identify the competitiveness indicators most
important to investors. Then focus on their
improvement (e.g. corruption, business
costs, infrastructure, regulations, HR
quality, political and policy stability).
Create a national psychology to improve
international competitiveness ratings overall and
in specific critical areas.

18. Big Winner Sector Date # Participants # Recommendations
Agribusiness December 2009 15 18
Business Process Outsourcing February 2010 28 30
Creative Industries November 2010 16 16
Infrastructure Policy Environment November 2009 25
Infrastructure: Airports November 2009 38 15
Infrastructure: Power November 2009 48 21
Infrastructure: Roads and Rail November 2009 33 9
Infrastructure: Seaports November 2009 20
Infrastructure: Telecommunications None 11
Infrastructure: Water November 2009 9
Manufacturing and Logistics March 2010 35 17 + 25
Mining November 2009 41 33
Tourism, Medical Travel, and Retirement September 2009 36 34
Total 290 283

19. Agribusiness

20. AGRIBUSINESS
Headline Recommendations (of 18)
1. Multiple new FTAs present great opportunity for RP agricultural exports. The
farming sector should be made aware of these opportunities, as well as threats
from imports, so the sector can adjust. Lowering cost of farm inputs – through
improved infrastructure, lower ground and sea transport costs, less government
red tape, cheaper fertilizer and insecticides – become even more essential. R&D,
agricultural education, and training need ramping up.
2. Agribusiness must update old models and develop new ones. By linking small
crop farmers to global and domestic markets, large corporate integrators (foreign
and domestic) are proving the RP can compete. The Philippine Agribusiness
Center of DA should expand its export development projects.
3. CARP should end in five years and limits on landholding lifted. The Farm Land as
Collateral law should be passed, and the mandated lending policy in the Agri-Agra
law should be made optional.

22. BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING
Headline Recommendations (of 30)
1. Strengthen the industry with a robust legal framework. The 15th Congress should pass as
soon as possible: (1) Department of Information and Communication Technology, (2)
Cybercrime, (3) Data Privacy, (4) Holiday Rationalization, and (5) much needed Labor Code
amendments (all of which improve country competitiveness). Avoid new laws discouraging
investment and that make it more difficult to operate businesses.
2. Develop a highly positive and supportive environment for the industry. Achieve wide
public understanding of the industry’s present and potential contribution to the economy
and generate public support for the industry. Adopt the National Competency Test for
hiring. Expand higher-speed broadband using new fiber-optic network in more cities.
Maintain the fiscal incentive regime supportive of the sector and ensure LGUs are
supportive of IT-BPO firms following the intent of PEZA/BOI guidelines. Promote the IT-BPO
industry with an aggressive international marketing campaign.
3. Raise quality and quantity of labor supply available to the industry. Implement
educational reform to improve quality of graduates. Correct lack of exposure to spoken
English by promoting use of English language in broadcast media and advertising. Use
Internet cafes for English training. Increase computers in public schools and use computers
for English training. Colleges should adopt curriculum that properly prepares students for
IT-BPO careers, introduce integrated service, science, management courses and, industry-
standard programs in English and technical courses. Expand more certification programs,
scholarships, and management development programs.

23. Creative Industries

24. CREATIVE INDUSTRIES
Headline Recommendations (of 16)
1. Improve planning with a Philippine Creative Industries Master Plan, pass
legislation to create the Creative Industries Development Council, and organize
the private sector into a Creative Industries Initiative.
2. Stimulate the overall creative industries environment with human resources
development, rebrand the Philippine creative image, protect intellectual property,
organize awards, exhibits and lectures, study foreign markets, reduce local costs,
develop uniquely Filipino products, encourage tie-ups with large foreign firms, and
encourage Filipino talent to stay home, as well as return home.
3. Encourage foreigners to practice creative industry professions in the Philippines,
as a key to attracting creative investments and R&D activities, resulting in
technology transfer, investment, and job creation. Remove restrictions on foreign
equity in advertising.

25. Infrastructure: Airports and Seaports

26. AIRPORTS
Headline Recommendations (of 15)
1. Prioritize investments in airport terminal, runway, and communication facilities. A
Transportation Master Plan for Central Luzon until 2050 is needed. DMIA should
become the primary international gateway and NAIA primarily a domestic airport. NAIA:
renovate T-1 for wide-body international; connect T-1 and T-2; use T-3 for narrow-body
domestic/international. DMIA will need a 2nd parallel runway, a new passenger
terminal, and high-speed rail connection to NAIA/Makati. Settle the NAIA T-3 investor
case.
2. Each region should have one international airport only (convert existing airports).
Prioritize Laguindingan. Expand Mactan. Reform the Civil Aviation Authority of the
Philippines (CAAP) in order to reverse Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and EU
downgrades. Implement the Japanese government-funded Air Traffic Management
Project of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).
3. Prioritize international tourism and increase international carrier service through
reduced costs and pocket open skies (starting with Palawan). Prepare for ASEAN open
skies. Before more foreign airlines terminate Philippine service, replace Customs,
Immigration, and Quarantine overtime, meal, and transportation fees with 24/7
government service and end unwarranted taxes on carriers (gross Philippine billings and

27. SEAPORTS
Headline Recommendations (of 20)
1. A NCR/Central Luzon Transportation Master Plan up to mid-century is needed and
should include a strategy to utilize Batangas, Manila, and Subic seaports, with modern
ground transportation links to industrial and urban centers. Manila should be
decongested gradually, shifting international container traffic to Batangas and Subic.
Develop cruise business at Manila and other major ports (see Map 4).
2. All major ports should have complete infrastructure (terminals, cranes, yards, scales,
silos, and discharging equipment and areas) under a hub-and-spoke system feeding
goods by truck and RORO. Major RORO ports should have modern passenger
terminals. Allow chassis RORO (cargo containers on chassis without truck). Reduce fees
on all shipping. Increase consortium shipping arrangements.
3. PPA should focus on an independent regulatory role and promote competitive
participation in port operations. Activate the National Port Advisory Council. Pass the
new Maritime Law. The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) should impose higher
standards on shipping and follow international practice.

29. POWER
Headline Recommendations (of 21)
1. Challenge: There is no substitute for long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) between
creditworthy parties to support financing of new power generation projects. Lenders cannot and
will not accept merchant risk or PPAs involving parties that do not have financial wherewithal to
fulfill their contractual obligations. Solution: The Department of Energy could formulate policies
and plans to address this challenge, such as credit enhancements, guarantees, incentives, and
more.
2. Challenge: Investments in new cost-effective power generation projects require initiation of open
access and retail competition. Solution: Fulfill conditions precedent to declaration of Retail
Competition and Open Access within 2010. All but one condition precedent has been fulfilled,
namely transferring management and control of 70% of IPP contracts with NPC to IPP
Administrators.
3. Challenge: Investments in new cost-effective power generation projects require a viable WESM.
The Luzon WESM has functioned well since mid-2006, but initiation of the Visayas WESM has been
deferred for more than one year. Solution: Initiate Visayas WESM without further delay and
integrate it with Luzon WESM. Initiate Mindanao WESM no later than mid-2011.
4. Formulate an integrated energy policy plan including all energy sources, plant locations,
investment/financing, energy efficiency. Enhance creditworthiness of distribution utilities and
cooperatives. Prepare for nuclear power in a decade. Revisit take-or-pay for baseload plants.
Remove restrictions on foreign equity in power projects. Develop a large coal plant on a small
island with domestic/foreign coal. Introduce LNG for cleaner power and transportation. Privatize
Agus and Pulangi dams by 2011.

30. WATER
Headline Recommendations (of 9)
1. Challenge: There is no substitute for long-term take-or-pay bulk water purchase agreements
between creditworthy parties to support financing of new water supply projects. Solution: The
GRP must enhance creditworthiness of water supply agencies such as the MWSS with
performance undertakings.
Alternatives: The MWSS concessionaires voluntarily enter into take-or-pay contracts for bulk
water supply projects supported by their balance sheets or fund major new water supply projects
directly.
2. Challenge: Public policies, rules, and regulations for water are administered by numerous
departments and agencies thereby undermining its development. Solutions: Rationalize water
supply administration and policy via a Water Reform Act; strengthen the National Water
Resources Board (NWRB). Establish a Department of Water and an independent water regulator.
Develop a National Water Master Plan that identifies major water resources and treatment
requirements; establish supportive policies, rules, and regulations.
3. Challenge: New dams to provide additional water supplies for Metro Manila should be built.
Solutions: Engage the private sector, preferably through transparent bidding. The policy
disallowing "take-or-pay" and sovereign guarantees needs to be reviewed. Smaller and less
expensive Sierra Madre or Wawa projects should be moved forward while the approach to the
Laiban project is decided.
4. Challenge: Irrigation and flood control desperately need reform and budgetary support. Solutions:
Encourage the private sector to invest in irrigation using the BOT law or joint ventures with
National Irrigation Administration (NIA). Reduce flooding by implementing measures to reduce
the accumulation of silts and sediments and disposal of garbage in waterways. Prohibit
development and construction of residences and commercial, industrial, or institutional structures

31. Infrastructure: Roads and Rail

32. INFRASTRUCTURE POLICY ENVIRONMENT
Headline Recommendations (of 25)
1. Double spending on infrastructure to 5% of GDP with a pipeline of PPP projects,
professionally prepared and transparently bid and implemented. Draw on international
technical assistance to move forward nearly PhP 200 billion in viable road and rail
projects. Draw on nearly PhP 1 trillion in available local funds.
2. Legal and procedural reforms will be needed to revitalize PPP programs. Amend the
BOT law and its IRRs. Amend or rescind the JVA EO. Assure that the NEDA-ICC reviews
all major projects. Strongly discourage unsolicited project proposals. Remove foreign
equity restrictions. Speed up project approval process using timetables/deadlines.
Release DBM funds in timely fashion. Use congressional CDF only for needed
infrastructure. Create and follow a 10-year infrastructure master plan. Implement the
National Transport Plan.
3. Increase transparency and reduce corruption and controversy over infrastructure
projects. Protect investors from political risks (TROs, LGU interference, right of way
problems). Pass the Freedom of Access to Information Act. Develop a government on-
line registry of projects and a private sector website to monitor the top 200-300
projects against guidelines. Disclose all JVA projects prior to MOA signing.

33. ROAD AND RAIL
Headline Recommendations (of 9)
1. Build expressways and national roads twice as fast, using PPPs as well as DPWH
funds (see list below). Cost: US$ 3+ billion (not including national roads).
2. Build intercity rail and urban light rail, especially on Luzon, twice as fast. Accelerate
rail construction on Luzon, using PPPs as well as DOTC funds (see list below). Cost:
US$ 11+ billion.
3. National government budget should focus on the core road network. Major road
and rail projects which government decides to be funded as PPPs should be bid out
competitively and evaluated and awarded transparently. Unsolicited proposals
should be minimized.
4. Apply HDM-4 for roads. Create single light rail agency for Metro Manila.

35. MANUFACTURING
Headline Recommendations (of 17)
1. Increase priority given to manufacturing. Working with the private industry, the
government should: (1) develop an industrial master plan, identifying the best
opportunity sectors for the export of goods and services to global markets created by
FTAs; (2) support the plan with consistent policies, fiscal incentives, legal,
administrative, and other reforms; and (3) put a strong economic team in the cabinet
that works in tandem with designated private sector leaders of the targeted global
industries.
2. Improve the business climate and level the playing field: (1) reduce the costs of doing
business including electricity, transport infrastructure, domestic logistics, corruption,
and red tape; (2) increase E2M coverage for customs; (3) professionalize the
bureaucracy; (4) allow industry to operate free of government interference, such as
price controls; (5) link minimum wage policies to productivity enhancements; (6)
rationalize holidays; and (6) eliminate smuggling by sending smugglers to jail.
3. Ramp up promotion of Philippine exports and investment: establish an export
development fund to promote exports and investment; aggressively promote the
Philippines at international trade fairs. Allow duty and tax-free importation of capital
equipment.

36. LOGISTICS
Headline Recommendations (of 25)
1. Promote Batangas Port for CALABARZON-destined shipments and Subic for Luzon-
destined shipments by inviting feeder vessel operators to call, linking them through
Singapore, Kaohsiung, and Hong Kong to worldwide shipping.
2. Develop Subic as a true freeport for logistics to the Asian region for goods from the
US and Europe.
3. Allow direct deconsolidation of cargoes to PEZA bonded warehouses instead of using
non-PEZA CY/CFS operators.
4. Develop a transshipment industry similar to Dubai and Singapore. Allow
transshipment of cargo in various modes, air-air, sea-air, and air-sea by asking the BOC
to implement relevant transshipment rules.
5. Open the door to foreign investment along the entire multi-modal transportation
chain.

38. MINING
Headline Recommendations (of 33)
1. Increase the growth of the mining sector by removing redundant approvals and non-
performing claims. Exploration and similar permits should be granted transparently at the
regional level within 6 weeks and renewed in one day at one-stop shops. Reduce
environmental compliance certificate (ECC) processing time. Allow pre-permitting access to
potential project lands. MGB should cancel permits after two years of non-performance.
MGB should adopt Philippine Mineral Ore Resources Reserve Reporting Code. Develop
model best-practice regions.
2. Work closely with indigenous peoples; develop mining HR skills; monitor legal
developments. Since most mines are in ancestral domains, involve IPs as partners from
project commencement. Achieve a 50% increase in direct mining and milling costs allocated
for community development. Implement release to LGUs of their share of mining taxes paid
to the GRP. Improve salaries and practical skills of MGB staff. Develop mining engineering
programs at universities. Implement the current Mining Act and avoid arbitrary application
of the Writ of Kalikasan. Continue the Minerals Development Council.
3. Carry out a public information campaign and increase dialogue with concerned groups.
Inform the public about responsible mining that minimizes the environmental impact. Find
common-ground solutions with LGUs, NGOs, religious leaders, and local communities to
issues raised against specific projects. LGUs should not have mining bans against national
policy. Encourage downstream processing/manufacturing. Source supplies from local
communities. Endorse Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.

40. TOURISM
Headline Recommendations (of 34)
1. Improve international connectivity – eliminate the Common Carriers Tax and Gross
Philippine Billings tax on foreign airlines (not practiced elsewhere); implement 24/7
operations in international airports and seaports; reform the CAAP.
2. Develop and implement national and destination masterplans and protect property
rights of investors and communities in line with the Tourism Act of 2009. Promotional
resources should be directed to key tourist regions with infrastructure and direct
international flights, including Cebu/Bohol, Clark/Subic, Davao, Laoag, and Cagayan de
Oro.
3. Reduce costs of doing business and enhance mobility for travel and tourism
enterprises and tourists across the value chain (e.g. implement sustainable tourism
taxation (national and local), streamline procedures, travel tax, customs and
immigration, licensing, amend Sanitation Code).

41. MEDICAL TRAVEL
Headline Recommendations
1. Pursue negotiations of public insurance portability for international medical travel and
retirement; promote transparency of medical travel packages; develop and implement
a national policy on wellness and medical travel.
2. Facilitate seamless travel of medical travelers and health professionals (as part of
exchange programs with overseas hospitals) by issuing longer medical tourism visas for
patients and their companions and streamlining procedures.
RETIREMENT
Headline Recommendations
1. Restrictions on foreigners should be liberalized in designated tourism and retirement
zones to allow foreign ownership of land and retail facilities and the practice of
professions. Until the constitutional limit on foreign ownership of land can be
reformed, joint ventures with reputable Philippine corporations as well as GRP agencies
and LGUs should be encouraged; rules and regulations for JVs with the government
should be reviewed accordingly.
2. Encourage co-investment by the Philippine Retirement Authority in infrastructure
development to support long-stay tourism and retirement programs.

43. Issue Number
Business Costs 16
Environment and Natural Disasters 14
Foreign Equity and Professionals 12
Governance 16
Judicial 12
Labor 9
Legislation 13
Local Government 16
Macroeconomic Policy (Fiscal, Markets, Trade) 29
Security 15
Social Services: Poverty 4
Education 12
Health and Population 9
TOTAL 177

44. Uncompetitive business costs (labor, holidays, marine
transport, power).
High unemployment and brain drain; low labor productivity.
Restrictions on foreign equity and professionals.
Weak governance (corruption, red tape, smuggling).
Slow judicial processes, weak rule of law.
High taxes yet poor public revenue; large public sector deficit.
Slow pace of legislative reform.
Unclear authority of local vis-à-vis national government.
Security (crime, insurgency, terrorism, warlordism, weak
military/police).
Insufficient social services (education, health, reproductive
health).

45. Business Costs
Key Recommendations (of 16)
1. Senior levels of public and private sectors should create a national culture of
competitiveness. Strengthen national efforts to improve competitiveness by
reducing business costs, including the NCC, and prepare an annual presidential
report on competitiveness.
2. Adjust minimum wages to be more in line with similar regional middle income
economies, allow relief from minimum wages or piece work for distressed
industries or other measures that maintain jobs instead of losing them to other
countries, including developing new industrial zones with infrastructure that
offer much lower wage rates. Reduce the burden of high holiday payroll
expenses by reducing the number of non-working holidays.
3. Reduce power costs for firms needing to maintain global competitiveness to
survive. Introduce open access and power discounts. Modernize ground and
marine transport to achieve competitive efficiencies.
4. Accelerate efforts to greatly reduce the red tape burden on citizens and firms.

46. Environment and Natural Disasters
Headline Recommendations (of 14)
1. Implement policies prescribed by the Solid Waste Management Act,
Clean Air Act, and Clean Water Act. Deal effectively with the solid waste
challenge. Reduce air and water pollution. Clean rivers. Improve access to
water and sanitation. Establish clear rules and standards that would allow
modern incineration technologies. Amend the Clean Air Act to allow non-
polluting clean incineration.
2. Benefit tourism, agriculture, and fisheries by ending deforestation,
beginning reforestation, and rebuilding damaged coral reefs.
3. Emphasize disaster prevention as well as disaster relief. Reduce flooding
by improving drainage, zoning, and infrastructure. Make cities safer against
earthquakes. Plan effectively for the impact of climate change/global
warming.

47. Foreign Equity and Professionals
Headline Recommendations (of 12)
1. A high-level commission should review current restrictions in the FINL
and elsewhere and propose remedial measures, considering which will
most increase investment and create jobs.
2. Pending constitutional revision, creative but legal solutions, including the
control test, should be applied to 60-40 ownership provisions, in order to
increase investment and create jobs.
3. Because foreign professionals can enhance national competitiveness and
create jobs, the PRC should liberalize its procedures to accredit foreign
professionals. The FINL should not include professionals. Philippine
diplomacy should pursue global openness for Filipino professionals.
Distinguish ownership of companies that provide professional services
and execution of medical services.

48. Governance
Headline Recommendations (of 16)
1. Demonstrate firm, consistent political will to enforce laws against corruption forcefully in
the public and private sectors, in revenue collection, and public expenditures. Government
should join the Integrity Initiative and submit government departments to the same
control mechanisms as the private sector. An impartial Ombudsman should be
strengthened with trained staff. Private sector must do more to police its ranks and initiate
compliance and integrity programs.
2. Smuggling must be vigorously countered. The BOC with DOJ support should successfully
prosecute smugglers. Further reform public sector procurement. Expand e-procurement,
reform project selection process and bidding procedures, and intensify other efforts to
reduce waste in public expenditures. Increase public sector transparency.
3. Reduce the fiscal burden of GOCCs by fiscalizing, rationalizing, privatizing, and closing.
Focus Congressional CDF more on priority social infrastructure needs. Undertake civil
service reforms to professionalize government. Reduce red tape. Strengthen Corporate
Governance; reduce abuse of intellectual property rights; Legalize jueteng.

49. Judicial
Headline Recommendations (of 12)
1. Continue judicial reforms to speed up justice in all courts by hiring more judges
and increasing salaries. Continue to reduce the caseload of all courts by more
encouragement of arbitrated settlements in civil cases. Improve BIR, BOC, and
Ombudsman legal staff to prepare better cases with better prospects of
successful prosecution and conviction.
2. The Supreme Court should request amicus curiae expert advice in ruling on issues
that may adversely impact on the investment climate. The Supreme Court could
reduce its caseload by being more selective in accepting case. Rules of the Court
should be changed to recognize foreign arbitration decisions without reopening
cases.
3. Create a special court for Strategic Investment Issues. Oversee the environmental
courts so that application of Philippine environmental laws strongly supports
responsible mining practices.

50. Labor
Headline Recommendations (of 9)
1. Modernize the Labor Code. Rationalize holidays. Allow overseas service firm
workers compensatory days off. Maintain the flexible working arrangements
introduced in recent years.
2. Focus on improving labor productivity. Create several million new direct jobs and
many more indirect jobs. Attract manufacturers relocating from China. Reduce
the unemployment and underemployment rates.
3. Continue to resolve differences without disruptive labor action. Allow self-
regulation of companies with support of chambers of commerce and industry
associations. Reform the NLRC. Further narrow the skill-jobs mismatch by
revising curricula and training. Re-introduce dual training system and support
greater interaction between TESDA and private sector.

51. Legislation
Headline Recommendations (of 13)
1. The president should hold regular LEDAC meetings of executive and
congressional leaders. LEDAC should prioritize the administration’s
legislative agenda and monitor its progress throughout the legislative
process.
2. Prioritize bills that improve competitiveness, increase investment and
revenue, and create jobs, in order to accelerate economic growth. Use
executive orders and revision of IRRs to start reforms, following up with
legislation as needed. Deter market-inimical bills.
3. Pass legislation much more rapidly, especially for business and economic
reforms. Prioritize key legislation that was close to final passage in the 14th
Congress or that reached 2nd/3rd reading in either the House or the Senate.

52. Local Government
Headline Recommendations (of 16)
1. Intensify programs to improve LGU governance to make them more efficient and
competitive, prioritizing LGUs in the fastest-growing regions. Expand e-governance
services on LGU websites to enable routine transactions and to provide information
on budgets and procurement. Increase efforts to correct issues identified in IFC
Doing Business ratings and reduce solicitation of bribes. It is essential that the
National Government pays LGUs their tax share fairly and promptly. Intensify
programs for LGU capacity building.
2. LGUs should observe incentives, such as exemption from local taxes, awarded by the
national government to investors under national laws. The LGU Code, when
amended, should include language to make the foregoing application of national
laws clear. Declare certain investments as strategic to take them out of the influence
of LGUs.
3. LGUs should strongly support the Seven Big Winner sectors: Agribusiness, BPO,
Infrastructure, Manufacturing and Logistics, Mining, and Tourism, Medical Travel, and
Retirement.

53. Macroeconomic Policy
(Fiscal, Regulatory, Trade)
Headline Recommendations (of 29)
1. Constantly improve financial sector management. Reduce the record high
public sector deficit, maintain low inflation, stable exchange rates, reduce debt
service burden, increase capital spending, privatize more state assets, convey
an austerity message, reduce congressional pork barrel.
2. Maximize tax collection, jail smugglers and big tax evaders, using RATE and
RATS. Use transparency/e-governance, National Single Window, E2M. Simplify
taxes and fees. Undertake comprehensive tax reform to reduce CIT and
individual income tax, while raising VAT, ACT, and fuel excise taxes. Reduce or
eliminate small taxes and fees that increase business costs.
3. Increase the low savings rate and strengthen capital markets. Increase
independence of regulatory agencies and reduce the burden of government
regulation on the private sector. Maintain policy predictability and stability.
Take advantage of new trading opportunities.

54. Security
Headline Recommendations (of 15)
1. Improve political stability and reduce violence, terrorism, and human
right abuses throughout the Philippines. Use different strategies to deal
with the MILF, NPA, and ASG. Negotiate with the MILF and the NPA and use
force to isolate/ eliminate the ASG.
2. Reduce violence in Mindanao and increase economic development in the
island’s poorest provinces. Develop and implement the Mindanao 2020
Peace and Development Plan, emphasizing better infrastructure and lower
shipping costs. Reduce/eliminate warlordism. Expand CCT, Kalahli-CIDSS
and other programs that reduce government neglect of population living
in remote areas.
3. Modernize the armed forces and police and increase their numbers. End
extra-constitutional actions by any military units through reforms and
discipline. Reduce crime, especially murders and kidnappings.

55. Social Services: Poverty
Headline Recommendations
1. Steadily reduce number of poor and poor as percentage of
population.
2. Reduce the incidence of hunger.
3. Expand insurance coverage to include more poor.
4. Successfully implement the expanded CCT program to include all
6.9 million poor Filipino families.

56. Education
Headline Recommendations (of 12)
1. Increase public education budget over several years to at least PhP 400 billion (3.5-4% of
GDP) for better classrooms, more and better teachers quality, and reduced teacher/student
ratio. Double average spending per student to ASEAN-6 average. Adopt K+12 model to
extend basic education by two years and add a pre-elementary year.
2. Constantly improve teacher quality and curriculum to produce graduates with skills
required for higher quality jobs. Apply competency-based standards, more in-service
training, maintain teacher welfare and morale. Increase study of math and science,
technical/vocational skills training. Encourage college/post-graduate study in fields needed
for specialized positions, including foreign languages. Intensify investment in technology for
high school education to connect all 6,786 schools to Internet. Equip high school teachers
with notebook computers and students with e-readers. Establish computerized English
language centers in high schools.
3. Strengthen higher education by providing more resources for world class centers of
excellence. Expand scholarships/loans for higher education. Encourage more accredited
foreign schools and foreign teachers. Undertake a vigorous public campaign to emphasize
English language competency. Strengthen the Dual Education/Dual Technical System.
Expand the internship period to prepare students better for employment.

57. Health and Population
Headline Recommendations (of 9)
1. Double national spending on healthcare to 2.5-3% of GDP. Direct spending to poorest
Filipinos. Government hospitals should be modernized, rationalized, expanded, and many
thousands of additional village health centers built. Provide better equipment and staff.
2. Expand PhilHealth eventually to become UHC. Include poorest Filipinos at no cost,
financed by premiums on higher-income groups.
3. Cease misguided healthcare legislation that does not achieve policy goals. Use PPP to
encourage private capital to invest in healthcare-related services.
4. Government should target an achievable population growth rate, set parallel targets to
increase contraception prevalence rate and to lower fertility rate, and design and
implement a reproductive health program to achieve targets.
5. Congress should pass a consensus version of reproductive health legislation. Private
sector should support reproductive health policy legislation and assist employees to have
smaller families.
6. Government should reward poor families who have fewer children, PhilHealth should
introduce a family planning requirement for hospital accreditation.

58. Enacted into Law:
Financial Rehabilitation and Insolvency Act
(RA 10142) – lapsed into law July 18, 2010
*GOCC Governance Act (Republic Act 10149) – signed
June 6, 2011
*Repeal of Nightwork Prohibition for Women
(RA 10151) – signed June 21, 2011
* LEDAC Priority Measures

59. Approved on Third Reading in the House:
Direct Remittance to LGUs of their WIPO Copyright Treaty (Intellectual
40% share from National Wealth Property Act Amendments)
Taxes Senate: Pending Second Reading
Senate: Under Local Government Lemon Law
TWG deliberation Senate: Under Trade and Commerce
Customs Modernization and Tariffs Committee deliberation
Act Plastic Bag Regulation Act
Senate: Under Ways and Means Senate: Under Trade and Commerce
Committee deliberation Committee deliberation
*Data Privacy Act Regulating Profession -
Senate: Committee Report being Environmental Planning
routed for signature Senate: Draft Committee Report for
*Rationalization of Fiscal Incentives approval of Civil Service Committee
Senate: Under Ways and Means
Committee deliberation
* LEDAC Priority Measures

60. Pending Second Reading:
House Senate
*AMLA Amendment Creation of the DICT
Creation of the DICT Cybercrime Prevention Act
*Fair Competition Law/ Anti-trust *Mandatory Healthcare Coverage
LPG Industry Regulation and Safety Act *Reproductive Health Bill
*Reproductive Health Bill *Whistle Blowers Protection Act
Terrorism Financing Prevention and
Suppression Act
* LEDAC Priority Measures

61. Approved at Committee Level:
*Institutionalizing National Land Use Policy
*Land Administration and Reform Act
Rural Bank Act Amendments
* LEDAC Priority Measures

62. Under Technical Working Group Deliberation:
House Senate
*AFP Modernization CIQ Amendment
Anti-smuggling Sustainable Forest Management
*BOT Law Amendments Regulating Profession - Pharmacy
Farm Land as Collateral
*NFA Reorganization
*Government Procurement Act
Amendments
* LEDAC Priority Measures

63. Under Committee Deliberation:
House Senate
Constitutional Amendments on Creative Industries
Economic Provisions
*Enhancing the Curriculum of Basic Freedom of Access to Information
Education (12 years)
Freedom of Access to Information Fiscal Responsibility
* LEDAC Priority Measures

64. Bills Requiring Substantial
Other Priority Legislation
Reconsideration
Corporate Social Responsibility Foreign Investments Act Amendments
Security of Tenure Retail Trade Act Amendments
Value Added Simplified Tax Clean Air Act Amendment
Chinese Holiday Senior Citizens Act Amendment
Declaring National Women’s day as a Rice and Corn Trade Amendment
non-working holiday
Milk Code Financial Sector Tax Neutrality Act
Holiday Rationalization

65. 1,500 copies distributed to key stakeholders
(media, leaders in all branches of GPH including
LGUs, private sector, embassies)
Strengthening coalitions with the public and private
sectors to improve competitiveness and accelerate
investment and job creation.

66. JFC conducted dialogues about Arangkada
recommendations with 58 government leaders in the
Cabinet, Congress, Supreme Court, international
donors, as well as business leaders.
Advanced Arangkada reforms by building
partnerships with allies who also prioritize fast growth
of 7 Big Winner Sectors for investment and jobs.

67. March 30 Arangkada Workshop – over 120 investors
and public sector partners assessed Arangkada
recommendations for the 7 Big Winners. 13 were
completed; 72 are ongoing - of total of 283
We are organizing moderators/experts to continually
update the Arangkada website to provide a balanced
picture of investment opportunities.

69. www.arangkadaphilippines.com
www.investphilippines.info

71. Opening Page - with emphasis on the Arangkada
text as is, the
resources and most importantly the Newsroom
regarding updates.