Ambitious goals to be sure. The country will need significant improvements in infrastructure, government institutions, and the elimination of red tape. The Council has, in fact, identified 28 categories where the Philippines ranked in the bottom 20% on various competitiveness indices.
Twelve categories where the Philippines scores in the bottom 20% are related to the integrity of public and private sector institutions. Other categories where the Philippines needs signficiant improvement include roads, ports, airports and other basic infrastructure.
The Council is benchmarking the Philippines against leading economies in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and promises to engage in constant monitoring and evaluation. Mr. Luz noted that there are no quick fixes, but he is confident that the Philippines can become a leader in the ASEAN region.
John Howley
Woodbridge, New Jersey