Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) President Victor Lim believes the Philippine economy stands at a decisive crossroads.

While the country retains its fundamental strengths — demographic vitality, entrepreneurial energy, and robust domestic demand — these alone will not suffice amid the intensifying global uncertainty and persistent domestic constraints. The year ahead calls not for complacent optimism, but for disciplined, coordinated and reform-driven action across government, business and civil society.

While projected economic growth remains positive, it is increasingly constrained by serious headwinds: unresolved governance weaknesses that erode public trust, geopolitical conflicts that disrupt supply chains and capital flows and a volatile global financial environment. These external pressures magnify the cost of inaction at home and underscore the urgency of decisive structural reform.

To unlock our full economic potential in 2026 and beyond, the Philippines must accelerate foundational reforms with clarity, resolve, and consistency of purpose. The FFCCCII underscores the following interdependent priorities:

1.Governance as the non-negotiable foundation of growth.

Economic competitiveness and investor confidence are inseparable from institutional integrity. The FFCCCII urges the decisive establishment of a genuinely independent anti-corruption body, benchmarked against proven international models such as Singapore and Hong Kong, alongside the full and enforceable implementation of a Freedom of Information regime.

Equally critical are systemic and technology-driven reforms to eliminate leakages in public finance. We call for the adoption of advanced digital platforms for real-time budget tracking, open contracting standards, and mandatory transparency mechanisms that actively involve civil society and the private sector in auditing and infrastructure oversight. Every public peso must be demonstrably accounted for and directed toward measurable national outcomes.

2. Unleashing competitiveness through digitalization and ease of doing business.

The comprehensive digitalization of government transactions is overdue — it is no longer optional. The FFCCCII calls for the strict, uniform, and non-negotiable enforcement of the Ease of Doing Business Act across all Local Government Units, complemented by the expanded and accelerated use of “Green Lanes” for strategic and job-generating investments.

Reducing bureaucratic friction, compliance costs and regulatory uncertainty is the fastest and most effective way to attract investments, empower micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and create more quality employment nationwide. Predictable rules and efficient processes are needed to unleash the Philippines’ untapped competitive advantages.

3. Strategic, economics-driven statecraft in a fragmented world.

In an increasingly polarized global environment, Philippine foreign policy must remain principled, consistent and firmly anchored in national economic interest. The FFCCCII advocates for an independent and pragmatic foreign policy that actively promotes increased trade, foreign direct investment, tourism revival, technology sharing, infrastructure development and strategic cooperation with all major economies.