The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is accelerating a comprehensive reform agenda designed to transform the Philippine capital market into a more accessible, transparent, and resilient engine for long-term economic growth.
Speaking at the 3rd MAP Summit on Shared Prosperity, SEC Chairperson Francis Lim emphasized that the country’s economic expansion must be anchored on credible institutions.
Addressing a gathering of the nation’s top executives, Lim challenged business leaders to move beyond traditional profit models and embed trust, accountability, and stewardship into the core of value creation.
To foster a more inclusive financial ecosystem, the SEC is implementing strategic measures to lower the barriers to entry for both businesses and investors. Key pillars of the reform include:
-
Reduction of Compliance Costs: Revisiting regulatory requirements to ease the financial burden on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and emerging startups.
-
Process Streamlining: Digitalizing registration and filing systems to ensure faster turnaround times and greater ease of doing business.
-
Widening Participation: Introducing frameworks that encourage retail investor participation, ensuring that the benefits of capital market growth reach a broader segment of the Filipino population.
The summit, organized by the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), centered on the theme: “Shared Prosperity and Steward Governance towards our Dream Philippines.” Chairperson Lim noted that “steward governance” is not merely a regulatory checkbox but a fundamental shift in how corporations view their role in society.
He argued that for the “Dream Philippines” to become a reality, the private sector must act as a faithful steward of resources, ensuring that prosperity is shared across all levels of the socio-economic spectrum.
“Economic growth without integrity is unsustainable,” Chairperson Lim stated. “Our goal is to create a marketplace where every Filipino can participate with confidence, knowing that the institutions governing their investments are built on the bedrock of transparency and accountability.”
The SEC’s latest initiatives align with the broader national goal of sustainable development. By modernizing the regulatory landscape, the Commission aims to attract both local and foreign institutional investors, providing the necessary liquidity to fund infrastructure, innovation, and social services.
As the SEC continues to roll out these reforms, it remains committed to collaborative engagement with stakeholders to ensure that the Philippine capital market remains competitive on the global stage while staying deeply rooted in the principles of fairness and inclusivity.
