The Three Pillars of Inclusive Growth

In photo: (L-R seated) DOT Sec. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Presidential Adviser Joey Concepcion, Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President Rodrigo Duterte, Exec. Secretary Salvador Medialdea, DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez, and Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo. (L-R standing) CLSA Exchange Capital Corp. Chairman and CEO Luis Virata; International Container Terminal Services, Inc. Senior VP and Head of Asia Pacific Region Christian Gonzalez; Udenna Corporation President and CEO Dennis Uy; Go Negosyo Adviser on Agripreneurship and Mindanao Project Head Ginggay Hontiveros; Go Negosyo Adviser on MSME Development Merly Cruz; Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Bing Limjoco; Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. President Henry Lim Bon Liong; Wilcon Depot Founder and Chairman William Belo; Sta. Elena Construction and Development Corp. President and CEO Alice Eduardo; SM Prime Holdings Director Hans Sy; LT Group, Inc. President and COO Michael Tan; PLDT Chairman and CEO Manny Pangilinan; Federal Land, Inc. Chairman Alfred Ty; Filinvest Development Corp. President and CEO Josephine Gotianun-Yap; Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. President and CEO Robina Gokongwei-Pe; Aboitiz Equity Ventures Executive Vice President and COO Sabin Aboitiz; Philex Mining Corp. Senior VP of Corporate Affairs Mike Toledo; Megawide Construction Corp. Chairman and CEO Edgar Saavedra; and Pilipinas Global President and CEO Ernesto “Bong” Sta. Maria.

Last April 3, I initiated a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte and some business conglomerates to discuss private-sector programs. The discussion revolved mainly around the three pillars for greater inclusive growth: tourism, agri-business, and digitalization.

I presented the importance of these areas to the group. Tourism will be boosted if it is supported with infrastructure projects that will open up our islands and provinces and create greater access to the market for our micro and small entrepreneurs in different areas.

Different agri-business training and mentorship programs were also created by Go Negosyo with the support of public and private sectors to support and empower our farmers and other agri-stakeholders.

Through the recently signed rice tariffication law, the market will be open to players from other countries, but this law provides the agricultural sector safety nets for local farmers and will also support them through farming tools, seeds, and other technologies.

Lastly, digitalization is one of the strongest drivers of economic growth. Through various digital platforms, there are more Filipinos who are now self-earning entrepreneurs.

These key areas coupled with the right projects that would strengthen connectivity such as airports, roads, and bridges under the “Build Build Build” program of the administration, the expansion of telecommunications companies PLDT and Globe and the entry of a third telecommunications group, and the agribusinesses in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will greatly contribute to the goal of inclusive growth and development in the country.