Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Secretary Ernesto V. Perez attributed the significant improvement in the Philippines’ global competitiveness ranking, the strongest performance since 2020, to the whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach to reforms, particularly on reducing bureaucratic red tape.
The Philippines’ improved performance in the 2026 Edition of the Switzerland- based International Institute for Management Development (IMD) World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY), where the country climbed four places to 47th from 51st out of 70 economies.
“This marks our strongest overall IMD competitiveness ranking under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr and its highest ranking since 2020, reflecting the value of a whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach to reform,” Secretary Perez emphasized.
A key highlight of this year’s report is the Philippines’ performance in the Business Efficiency pillar, where the country rose by 16 places from 46th in 2025 to 30th in 2026.
“This is the country’s best Business Efficiency ranking since 2017, surpassing its 2019 pre-pandemic ranking and signaling renewed strength in the country’s business environment,” Secretary Perez pointed out.
According to Perez, this notable improvement reflects a “more dynamic and resilient private sector, supported by continuing efforts to simplify government procedures, reduce compliance burden, promote digitalization, and strengthen the ability of enterprises to operate, adapt, and grow.”
The Philippines also improved in Government Efficiency, climbing from 51st in 2025 to 45th in 2026. This marks the country’s strongest Government Efficiency ranking under the Marcos administration and a return to its best level since 2021, reflecting renewed momentum in reforms aimed at making public policies, regulations, and frontline services more responsive to the needs of citizens, businesses, and investors.
“The latest results show a clear and encouraging rebound in the country’s competitiveness performance, driven by significant gains in areas closely linked to enterprise growth, regulatory quality, institutional efficiency, and government service delivery,” he added.
The results affirmed the importance of sustained regulatory reform, institutional collaboration, and predictable government action in strengthening the country’s competitiveness.
Definitely, he said, the performance reflects that the reforms by the Marcos Administration are beginning to translate into measurable gains. “These results show that actions to reduce red tape, simplify procedures, digitalize services, and promote integrity and transparency in government do not go to waste. They strengthen investor confidence, support enterprise growth, and help build a more competitive Philippine economy,” Secretary Perez said.
The anti red tape chief, however, said that competitiveness is not built by one agency alone. It is the result of national government agencies, local government units, the private sector, and the public working together to make government more efficient, predictable, and responsive. “This is the kind of reform culture envisioned under Bagong Pilipinas,” he added.
ARTA said the results are aligned with the objectives of Republic Act No. 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act, which mandates government offices to streamline procedures, observe prescribed processing times, implement the Zero Contact Policy, improve Citizen’s Charters, and deliver faster and more efficient services to the public.
The Authority also noted that continued progress will depend on deeper implementation of digitalization, regulatory streamlining, one-stop-shop mechanisms, interoperability initiatives, and whole-of-government reengineering. These reforms are essential to lowering transaction costs, improving predictability, reducing opportunities for discretion, and making the Philippines a more attractive destination for business and investments.
While the 2026 results represent a strong positive signal, ARTA recognized that more work remains to be done, particularly in strengthening institutions, addressing bureaucratic inefficiencies, improving infrastructure support, and ensuring that reforms are felt consistently across all agencies and local government units.
ARTA remains committed to working with its partners across government and the private sector to sustain this momentum and translate improved competitiveness rankings into real benefits for businesses, investors, and the Filipino people.
