The Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT) is urging President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to commit in his upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) to the swift implementation of key legislative measures and executive reforms aimed at strengthening the country’s export competitiveness.
In a position paper outlining its “SONA 2026 Wishlist,” PHILEXPORT said it hopes exports will remain a central pillar of the government’s economic agenda. President Marcos is scheduled to deliver his SONA on July 27, 2026.
“We hope the President’s SONA will lay down a clear roadmap for reducing the cost of doing business, modernizing our logistics and quality infrastructure, strengthening micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and expanding market access through trade agreements,” PHILEXPORT said.
In the letter, PHILEXPORT President Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr. said exports remain “one of the country’s strongest drivers of investments, jobs, foreign exchange earnings, and inclusive growth.”
However, he said the country’s vast export potential remains largely untapped because of structural challenges that undermine the competitiveness of Filipino exporters relative to their regional counterparts.
Ortiz-Luis urged the President to certify as urgent the following legislative measures:
• Amendments to the Magna Carta for MSMEs, to strengthen government support for export-oriented MSMEs
• International Maritime Trade Competitiveness Act, to regulate excessive shipping and logistics charges, promote transparency, foster competition, and reduce exporters’ logistics costs
• National Quality Infrastructure Act, to establish a world-class quality ecosystem that will help Philippine exporters consistently meet international standards and global market requirements
• Customs Amnesty Act, to resolve longstanding customs disputes, encourage voluntary compliance, and provide legitimate exporters and importers with greater regulatory certainty.
• Amendments to the Philippine Ports Authority Charter, to separate the agency’s regulatory and commercial functions, improve port efficiency, and reduce logistics costs
• Amendments to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Charter, to modernize air cargo infrastructure, improve cargo handling efficiency, and strengthen the country’s air logistics competitiveness
PHILEXPORT also called on the President to prioritize the following executive reforms:
• Reduce the cost of doing business by lowering power, fuel, logistics, and port-related costs
• Address persistent port congestion through stronger coordination among government agencies, shipping lines, and container yard operators
• Continue customs modernization while ensuring new digital systems facilitate, rather than impede, legitimate trade and exports
• Accelerate the implementation of the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) and the Tatak Pinoy Strategy through adequate funding and stronger public-private collaboration
• Fast-track the implementation of new free trade agreements (FTAs) while pursuing additional FTAs focused on strategic export markets
• Expand export financing and credit guarantee programs for MSMEs
• Help exporters comply with evolving sustainability, environmental, social and governance (ESG), traceability, carbon reporting, and Digital Product Passport requirements
• Promote greater investment in innovation, digitalization, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing
• Continue streamlining trade-related permits and fully digitalize government transactions affecting exporters
PHILEXPORT said giving presidential urgency to these legislative measures and executive reforms would not only boost exports but also create quality jobs, attract investments, and accelerate inclusive economic growth.
• Reduce the cost of doing business by lowering power, fuel, logistics, and port-related costs
• Address persistent port congestion through stronger coordination among government agencies, shipping lines, and container yard operators
• Continue customs modernization while ensuring new digital systems facilitate, rather than impede, legitimate trade and exports
• Accelerate the implementation of the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) and the Tatak Pinoy Strategy through adequate funding and stronger public-private collaboration
• Fast-track the implementation of new free trade agreements (FTAs) while pursuing additional FTAs focused on strategic export markets
• Expand export financing and credit guarantee programs for MSMEs
• Help exporters comply with evolving sustainability, environmental, social and governance (ESG), traceability, carbon reporting, and Digital Product Passport requirements
• Promote greater investment in innovation, digitalization, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing
• Continue streamlining trade-related permits and fully digitalize government transactions affecting exporters
PHILEXPORT said giving presidential urgency to these legislative measures and executive reforms would not only boost exports but also create quality jobs, attract investments, and accelerate inclusive economic growth.
