Late last week, senior economic officials laid out the government’s “big bold reforms” agenda before the country’s top business leaders, signaling a renewed push for good governance, fiscal discipline, and sustainable growth as the Philippines heads into 2026.
The high-level briefing, titled Big Bold Reforms: The Philippines 2026, gathered more than 300 participants on January 16, including executives from major corporations, chambers of commerce, industry associations, and the financial sector. The event aimed to reinforce investor confidence and strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors following a challenging economic year.
Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go said the government’s reform agenda is anchored on the country’s long-term economic fundamentals and is designed to restore momentum and encourage fresh investments.
Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go
“We convened this briefing to deliver some good news — the big, bold reforms we are pursuing, anchored on our solid long-term economic fundamentals — to inspire optimism, encourage greater investment, and move forward with confidence after the extraordinary year that just passed,” Go said in his keynote address.
Fiscal discipline and confidence-building
Government officials emphasized that the reform push is underpinned by fiscal discipline and prudent spending, principles they said would guide policymaking as the government works closely with the private sector to sustain economic growth.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. underscored the importance of collective action, particularly in turning recent economic disruptions into opportunities for reform.
BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr.
“Together, the political leadership, the economic agencies, and the business community can turn challenging times into opportunity. Last year’s crisis can be the jolt we need to pursue the bold reforms we want,” Remolona said.
Infrastructure, sectoral, and digital reforms
Key Cabinet members and agency heads used the forum to provide updates on reform priorities and investment programs across critical sectors.
Infrastructure initiatives took center stage, with Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon, Department of Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez, and Department of Energy Secretary Sharon Garin outlining catch-up plans and reforms aimed at accelerating infrastructure development and improving project execution.
Reforms in tourism and agriculture were also highlighted, as Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., and Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III presented measures to boost productivity, improve value chains, and support rural growth.
Investor-friendly and regulatory reforms
On the investment front, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, Board of Investments Vice Chair Ceferino S. Rodolfo, and Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda discussed initiatives to attract high-impact investments and accelerate digital transformation—particularly in sectors critical to competitiveness and innovation.
Meanwhile, regulatory agencies outlined efforts to ease compliance and reduce bottlenecks for businesses. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Francisco Lim, Food and Drug Administration Director General Paolo Teston, Philippine Competition Commission Chair Michael Aguinaldo, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Jonas Leones detailed ongoing streamlining initiatives aimed at improving the ease of doing business.
Public-private dialogue
The discussions were joined by Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, alongside prominent business leaders including BDO Unibank Inc. Chairperson Teresita Sy-Coson and Ayala Corporation Chair Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, underscoring the forum’s emphasis on public-private partnership.
The event was jointly organized by the BSP and the Department of Finance and held at Shangri-La The Fort in Bonifacio Global City.
Officials said dialogues such as Big Bold Reforms: The Philippines 2026 are part of broader efforts to maintain transparency, align policy with business realities, and position the Philippines as a resilient and investment-ready economy in the years ahead.
