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A legislative agenda pushed by the business community was conspicuously absent from President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address delivered on July 28
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The SONA, however, mentioned a few infrastructure projects that would help the logistics community but no big-ticket items
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One of the projects is the 32.15-kilometer Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge which will begin construction before the year ends
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Part of the extension of South Luzon Expressway from Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Quezon will be opened to motorists in 2025
A legislative agenda pushed by the business community was conspicuously absent from President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address delivered on July 28.
The SONA did mention, however, a few infrastructure projects but no big-ticket items.
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) in a statement on July 29 lauded the SONA and its “business-friendly tone” but noted the absence of a formal legislative agenda and called for follow-through on urgent reforms.
PCCI in particular cited Marcos’ “firm stance against corruption” and warning against including misaligned projects in the national budget and his vow to improve healthcare access through zero-balanced billing in public hospitals.
Moreover, from a business standpoint, PCCI said the SONA “sent a strong signal” that local business development and attracting domestic and foreign investments are top priorities of the Marcos administration.
Still, PCCI president Enunina Mangio said they “would have wanted to hear progress updates on the removal of regulatory barriers, the streamlining of business processes, and the modernization of government services. These are major pain points for businesses.”
Among the persistent issues raised were red tape despite the Ease of Doing Business law, overlapping mandates of agencies, slow pace of digitalization, and the high cost of regulatory compliance.
The chamber also stressed the importance of expanding micro, small, and medium enterprises access to credit and technology, and introducing more advanced technical and digital training, including AI, in the education system.
“From education to infrastructure and agriculture, the SONA addressed the right issues. But we now need decisive action, sustained policy reforms, and implementation to turn these intentions into outcomes,” Mangio emphasized.
PCCI said it remains hopeful that both the executive and legislative branches will act swiftly to enact long-needed policy reforms and legislations that enable investments, create jobs, and improve the overall competitiveness of the Philippine business environment.
PCCI earlier called on Marcos to endorse 20 “critical” legislative measures, including policies on logistics and trade facilitation, in his SONA and the incoming 20th Congress.
PCCI said it supported, among others, the International Maritime Competitiveness Act, and amendments to both the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Act and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Charter that seek to resolve conflicting mandates and enhance regulatory oversight in the shipping and aviation sectors.
READ: PCCI champions 20 legislative measures, including on logistics, trade facilitation
One of the projects mentioned at the SONA is the 32.15-kilometer Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge which will begin construction before the year ends.
The bridge traversing Manila Bay will reduce travel between Mariveles, Bataan and Naic, Cavite from the current five hours to just 45 minutes, Marcos said. The project will comprise two cable-stayed bridges for navigation channels, 24 km of marine viaducts, and 8 km of approach roads. It aims to address traffic congestion in Metro Manila and improve the movement of people and goods.
The President also mentioned that part of the extension of South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) from Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Quezon will also be opened to motorists in 2025.
Construction of SLEX Toll Road 4, which extends the expressway from Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Lucena City, Quezon province, is ongoing. Once completed, travel between the two areas will only be one hour from the current four hours, Marcos noted.
Another project is the Mindanao Transport Connectivity Improvement Project (MTCIP), which will connect Regions 10 (Northern Mindanao), 11 (Davao region), and 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN).
Consisting of five major components, the MTCIP involves connecting Regions 10, 11, and 12 by upgrading and ensuring the long-term maintenance of the Cagayan de Oro-Davao-General Santos Corridor with road sections encompassing 277.4 km from Cagayan de Oro to Davao and 150.8 km from Davao to General Santos City. The project also involves the upgrade of three local roads totaling 129.86 km.
The National Economic and Development Authority Board last year green lit the P37-billion MTCIP.
Rehabilitation of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Bicol Line and Binahan Bridge in Camarines Sur that were damaged by typhoon Kristine last year is also ongoing. Marcos said soon, the rail line will be able to serve until Ragay, Camarines Sur and Tagkawayan, Quezon.
In addition, the President identified a few bridge projects, including the completed Nalil-Sikkiat Bridge in Tawi-Tawi; the Malassa-Lupa Pula project for completion next year, also in Tawi-Tawi; repair of the EDSA-Guadalupe Bridge
Marcos said he had directed the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Interior and Local Government, and Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity to visit bridges in the country and ensure that they are well maintained and in good condition.
Marcos said the government also plans to revive the “Love Bus”, a popular bus service that started in the 70s.
He said the service will be free and still in the pilot stage in Davao and Cebu, and eventually in other areas in Visayas and Mindanao.
