51st Philippine Business Conference Resolutions

1. RESOLUTION on Good Governance and Anti-Corruption: Strongly urging the National Government to put an end to unabated, continuing, and excessive corruption in government projects and transactions by instituting strict monitoring, transparency, and accountability mechanisms across all levels of governance.

Resolved further, to ensure that public officials and private partners involved in collusion are investigated, prosecuted, and penalized to the fullest extent of the law, and that stolen public funds are recovered and redirected toward programs that genuinely serve the Filipino people, especially the poor.

This can be done by:

1. Establishing stricter monitoring, auditing, and reporting mechanisms in all government projects to ensure full transparency and integrity.
2. Institutionalizing open governance systems and publishing data on project implementation, procurement, and fund utilization for public access.
3. Enforcing accountability and sanctions on public officials and private entities involved in corruption and collusion.
4. Creating multi-sectoral oversight bodies with private sector participation to strengthen governance and integrity in public projects.

2. RESOLUTION on Digitalization and Innovation: Urging the National Government to invest in, regulate, and swiftly adapt to Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation, and emerging digital technologies to enhance efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness in public service delivery, while fostering innovation, data sovereignty, and global competitiveness across both public and private sectors.

Resolved further, for the National Government to lead in building a digitally empowered economy through a secure and inclusive digital ecosystem founded on robust data governance, ethical AI deployment, and interoperable digital infrastructure that safeguard national interests, promote innovation, and ensure that technology benefits all Filipinos.

This can be done by:

1. Formulating and implementing a National AI and Digital Transformation Roadmap that ensures the ethical, inclusive, and responsible use of AI and emerging technologies across industries, government, and education while strengthening cybersecurity and digital governance frameworks.
2. Expanding and modernizing digital and physical infrastructure by investing in broadband networks, data centers, common towers, and cloud facilities to promote nationwide connectivity and digital inclusion, particularly in underserved areas.
3. Launching digital and AI literacy, reskilling, and innovation programs to build a future-ready workforce, enhance MSME competitiveness, and prepare Filipinos for Industry 4.0.
4. Encouraging public-private partnerships (PPPs) in developing interoperable, transparent, and secure digital systems that promote innovation, efficiency, and citizen-centered governance.
5. Providing incentives and support mechanisms for enterprises that adopt digital technologies, automation, research and development, and green or data-driven business models that improve productivity and sustainability.
6. Ensuring inclusive access to technology and connectivity across all regions to bridge the digital divide in education, business, and governance, guaranteeing that no Filipino is left behind in the country’s digital transformation.

3. RESOLUTION on Agriculture and Energy: Urging the National Government to adopt an integrated approach to strengthen the agriculture and energy sectors through innovation, investment, and sustainability to ensure food and energy security, enhance productivity, and improve national competitiveness.

Resolved further, for the National Government to promote smart agriculture systems and resilient agri-value chains, and ensure a balanced energy transition that accelerates renewable energy adoption while maintaining reliability, affordability, and competitiveness of supply for industries and consumers.

This can be done by:

1. Implementing a Digital Agricultural Land Mapping Program to identify optimal crops and provide farmers with technical assistance and seedlings.
2. Establishing Cold Chain and Post-Harvest Facilities in key production areas to reduce post-harvest losses, preserve quality, and expand market access.
3. Promoting agribusiness development, mechanization, and youth participation through technology transfer, training, and access to financing.
4. Developing a Comprehensive Renewable Energy Roadmap that attracts investments in solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass, and emerging technologies such as hydrogen.
5. Ensuring a balanced energy mix that maintains grid stability, affordability, and competitiveness while advancing renewable energy adoption.
6. Strengthening energy independence by reducing reliance on imported fuels and modernizing domestic generation capacity and transmission systems.
7. Directing the Department of Energy (DOE), National Electrification Administration (NEA), and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to coordinate on expanding rural electrification and digital energy infrastructure.
8. Promoting energy efficiency and conservation programs across industries and communities to reduce costs and carbon emissions.

4. RESOLUTION on MSME Development and Ease of Doing Business: Urging the National Government to improve the overall business environment, facilitate the ease of doing business, and enhance MSME competitiveness to drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Resolved further, to ensure that policies and programs enable entrepreneurs to access financing, streamline business processes, strengthen innovation capacity, and participate actively in regional and global value chains.

This can be done by:

1. The Department of Finance (DOF), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), and Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.) to improve access to affordable financing for MSMEs, especially for startup capital, working capital, and green enterprise investments.
2. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Tourism (DOT), and local government units (LGUs) to support MSME participation in regional and global value chains through capacity building, product compliance training, and inclusive local sourcing programs.
3. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and local chambers of commerce to accelerate the digital transformation of MSMEs through targeted training, digital toolkits, and access to e-commerce platforms.
4. Reviewing and streamlining regulations to ensure compliance processes are fair, transparent, and efficient, while promoting consumer welfare, fair competition, and responsible business practices.
5. Digitalizing government services, including permitting, registration, and payment systems, to improve ease of doing business.
6. Investing in broadband networks, data centers, and common towers to expand digital connectivity nationwide, particularly in underserved areas.
7. Launching digital skills and innovation programs to equip the workforce and MSMEs with technology readiness for Industry 4.0.
8. Strengthening cybersecurity and data governance frameworks to ensure trust, privacy, and system resilience.
9. Streamline and harmonize the process of converting single proprietorships to One Person Corporations (OPCs) through unified inter-agency guidelines and protocols;
10. Develop and operationalize an integrated online platform under the Philippine Business Hub to facilitate end-to-end electronic conversion, registration, and compliance;
11. Enable secure data sharing and interoperability among DTI, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and BIR systems to eliminate redundant business name and tax registration procedures;
12. Issue a Joint Memorandum Circular defining simplified requirements, standardized forms, and definitive processing timelines for OPC conversion; and
13. Conduct nationwide information campaigns and MSME capacity-building programs to promote awareness, accessibility, and adoption of the streamlined conversion process.

RESOLVED FINALLY, that these resolutions be pursued in synergy with all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the government (a whole-of-government approach) to foster transparent governance, secure food and energy systems, empower MSMEs, simplify business processes, and drive digital transformation—anchoring the Philippines’ growth on innovation, integrity, and inclusiveness.