The National Competitiveness Council is pleased to announce that President Aquino has signed an administrative order (AO) creating an inter-agency task force to drill down on reforms aimed at facilitating the ease of doing business in the country.

AO No. 38 was issued on May 17, less than a month after the Ease of Doing Business Summit organized by the NCC. The summit aimed to highlight the reforms developed by the NCC and its partners to improve rankings on the Doing Business Report of the World Bank - International Finance Corporation. In 2013, the Philippines was ranked 138th out of 185 economies in the world and 8th out of nine members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry was designated as the chairperson of the Ease of Doing Business Task Force with representatives from the NCC, Department of Finance, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Justice, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Bureau of Customs, Land Registration Authority, Credit Information Corporation, Securities and Exchange Commission, Social Security System, Home Development Mutual Fund, and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation as members. Aside from this core group, local government units, as well as private and public institutions, may also be invited to the task force for their assistance.

Under the AO, it is the responsibility of the task force to implement the Gameplan for Competitiveness, which was designed by the NCC to raise Philippine competitiveness rankings to the top third in the world by 2016. The Gameplan has set reform targets per government agency or office accountable for any of the ten indicators measured in the Doing Business Report. The ten indicators are starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts, and resolving insolvency.

To ensure full compliance with the reform targets, the AO provides for the inclusion of these targets in the performance targets of the concerned government agencies and offices for the performance-based incentive system.

The AO is a clear sign that government is taking the necessary steps to ensure transparency and efficiency in business practices. The NCC hopes that this reform agenda for 2013 and beyond will contribute to increased investments, employment generation, and long-term Philippine competitiveness.

Download AO38