By Adrian H. Halili, Reporter
ECONOMISTS are calling on Philippine lawmakers to prioritize legislation that will boost food security, revive manufacturing and create better jobs as the 20th Congress opens on July 28.
Congress should pass measures to modernize the country’s agro-industrial sector, said John Paolo R. Rivera, a senior research fellow at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies. “These efforts will uplift the income of local producers and improve the country’s food security,” he said in a Viber message.
The agriculture sector has long lacked adequate government support, leaving the Philippines dependent on food imports. Local production often fails to meet domestic demand, exposing the country to price fluctuations caused by global trade disruptions.
Inflation rose to 1.4% in June from 1.3% in May. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas warned that geopolitical tensions could still pose inflation risks.
“One priority legislation should be to raise the land retention limits for agricultural land to raise agricultural productivity,” Calixto V. Chikiamco, a political economist, said in a Viber message.
Party-list Rep. Terry L. Ridon, convenor of infrastructure think tank InfraWatch PH, urged lawmakers to push policies that cut the cost of living.
“They should focus on continuing to reduce food and basic commodity prices, generate jobs and implement infrastructure projects which palpably contribute to economic growth and poverty alleviation,” he said in a Viber message.
Mr. Rivera also cited the need to strengthen the manufacturing and electronics sectors to offer better job quality for Filipinos. He said Congress should also promote the digital economy and expand the Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) sector.
The employment rate was 96.1% in May, representing about 50.29 million Filipinos with jobs. Most workers came from the service, agriculture and industry sectors, the Philippine Statistics Authority said.
“Lawmakers should push for measures on tourism and creative industries, which are high-potential, labor-intensive sectors, and green infrastructure and renewable energy, which can future-proof the economy and attract climate-aligned investments,” Rivera added.
Ederson DT. Tapia, a political science professor at the University of Makati, said legislators are likely to stay aligned with the Marcos administration’s priorities.
“Because President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is term-limited in 2028, codifying which issues belong to the administration is crucial,” he said. “These could include industry upgrading, service convenience and sovereignty.”
The 20th Congress will elect its leadership ahead of Mr. Marcos’s fourth State of the Nation Address. Senator Francis G. Escudero and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez are expected to retain their posts as Senate President and House Speaker, respectively.
