5th Arangkada forum: Bolder, inclusive reforms for the PH economy

MANILA, Philippines – On Tuesday, March 1, the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines (JFC) will host its 5^th anniversary forum entitled “A Bolder and More Inclusive Decade” at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay city. 

This year, JFC aims to highlight the importance of focusing on the future of the Philippine economy and identifying bold reforms to achieve sustained and inclusive growth over the next decade. Over 45 speakers, panelists, and moderators will share their ideas, discussed within the framework of 7 sectors:

• Agribusiness
• IT-Business Process Management
• Creative Industries
• Infrastructure
• Manufacturing and Logistics
• Mining
• Tourism, Medical Travel, and Retirement

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Maria Lourdes Sereno will speak about faster and fairer justice. Other confirmed speakers and panelists include:

• Senator Bam Aquino
• Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro
• Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales
• BDO Capital President Ed Francisco
• Former Finance Secretary Roberto de Ocampo
• Former Education Secretary Jesus Estanislao
• Commission on Audit Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo
• Public-Private Partnership Center Executive Director Cosette Canilao
• Economists Benjamin Diokno, Gerry Sicat, and Cielito Habito

JFC has also invited President Benigno Aquino and the 2016 presidential candidates to share their ideas for bold reforms to accelerate economic growth.

The program features 6 panel discussions which will tackle the following issues:

• Reforms aimed to increase total investment to above the ASEAN-6 average
• Reducing unemployment and underemployment to the ASEAN-6 average
• Reducing poverty
• Modernizing infrastructure
• Raising Philippine competitiveness to even higher ratings
• Minimizing bureaucracy and maximizing good governance

JFC will also award its 4th lifetime achievement award to an exemplary leader from the public or private sector who embodies the Arangkada advocacies and aspirations. 

The 5th annual Arangkada assessment will also be released at the event. Reflecting inputs from almost 20 experts, the assessment updates the extent of implementation of recommendations made by investors in the Arangkada Philippines: A Business Perspective report published in December 2010. The Arangkada 2010 document can be accessed through http://www.investphilippineks.info/arangkada/report/ 

Ticket prices for the forum start at P4500 ($94.42)*. To register, log on to arangkada.teamasiaevents.com/. For assistance, contact Junel Roxas via jaroxas@teamasia.com or +632757-3500 loc. 342. – Rappler.com

*US$1.00 = P47.66