|
Thursday, January 29, 2004
Next leader must push for reforms, intensify revenue collection: Neda
By Christie Enriquez-Uayan
INTENSIFIED tax collection efforts, clear economic policies and Constitutional reforms--these, according to Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri, will help catapult the country's economy to be at par with Asian tiger economies.
These should be the major concerns to be acted upon by the next president of the country, he added.
"He or she should push for Constitutional reforms and target a much higher growth rate that would range from 6 to 7 percent. Of course he has to have clear strategies on how to achieve them," Neri said.
Neri said the country needs to get rid of the businessmen's "wait and see attitude" and encourage more investments by imposing clear economic policies.
He said candidates should articulate their economic platforms before the business community to end their apprehension.
Presidentiables in November met with members of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) to bare their economic policies and platforms.
Raul Roco, President Arroyo, and Panfilo Lacson were present, while Fernando Poe sent his representative Sen. Vicente Sotto III.
PCCCI vice president for Mindanao and Mindanao Business Council Chair Antonio Santos said the business community would again meet with other candidates soon.
Santos said the government's current tax collection is not enough, even as both the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) have been surpassing collections targets.
The country's tax efforts range from 13.5 percent to 14.5 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), a low figure compared to the ideal 19 percent tax to GDP ratio.
Prior to the Asian crisis, the Philippines reached an average tax effort of 18 percent, he said.
Neri, however, did not specify the needed constitutional reforms, but stressed that the current incentives for lawmakers do not lean towards passing good laws but towards popularity.
(January 29, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[ return
to top ]
[ home
]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
