Stratbase-Albert Del Rosario Institute Holds Forum, “Raising the Next Tiger: The New Administration’s Economic Priorities”
On September 28 at the Tower Club of the Philam Life Tower in Makati City, the Stratbase-Albert Del Rosario Institute (ADRi) held a two-session forum reviewing the economic priorities of the Duterte Administration.
The first session was entitled, “Spending and Tax Under the Duterte Administration.” Mr Aekapol Chongvilaivan, a Country Economist from the Asian Development Bank, began the session with a presentation on the Philippine Economic Outlook from 2016 to 2017. The presentation showed that the Philippines saw strong growth despite external headwinds, but also noted the need for further reforms to sustain growth and address development challenges. On hand to react to the presentation were Mr. George Barcelon, President of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Mr. Calixto Chikiamco, President of the Foundation for Economic Freedom. Secretary Benjamin Diokno of the Department of Budget and Management followed up the discussion with a presentation of the Duterte Administration’s plans towards fiscal discipline and development.
The second session, “The Monetary Policy Initiatives under the new Administration,” began with a presentation from the Deputy Governor for Monetary Stability of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Mr Diwa Gunigundo. Mr. Gunigundo’s presentation, “An Economic Agenda for the New Administration: Perspectives from the BSP” looked at the position of strength the Philippines inherited at the beginning of the Duterte Administration, steps that can be taken to maintain this position of strength, and what to look out for moving forward. Reactors for this session were Hon. Amanda Gorely, Ambassador of the Australian Embassy; Amb. Donald Dee, President of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines; Mr. Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr, President of the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc.; Mr. George Chua, President of the Financial Executives of the Philippines; and Ms. Yurika Suzuki, Associate Senior Research Fellow of the Institute of Developing Economies of the Japan External Trade Organization.
Both sessions were moderated by Atty. Anthony Abad, President and CEO of Trade Advisors.