by: Jason dela Torre

Renewable energy is a growing industry in the Philippines, thanks in part to increased investor optimism in renewable energy investments. Both foreign and local investors alike, including two of the Philippines’ top trading partners, are confident in the country’s potential as a major renewable energy investment destination. A number of foreign-based energy companies have already set up subsidiaries in the country, led by British company Bronze Oak, which established the San Carlos Bioenergy Company in 2007, and is expected to generate roughly 9 megawatts of electricity, including another 5 mW for grid export.

The last ten years has been crucial to the development of agricultural and rural infrastructure in the Philippines. The country now boasts a nautical highway which has significantly eased the transport of agricultural products from the island of Mindoro to other parts of the country. A number of modern highways and road systems have also been built to connect the areas of Clark, Subic, and Tarlac in Central Luzon, all major trading areas, thereby making it easier for farmers living in these locales to transport their goods to Metro Manila. These and other developments, coupled with the increasing popularity of agribusiness in the Philippines, has led to the development of the country’s agricultural industry, as well as to a significant increase in agricultural profits.

by: Jason dela Torre

Republic Act (RA) 9593, or the Tourism Act of 2009 passed by the Arroyo administration, cements a national policy bolstering investments and improving employment in the Philippines’ tourism industry. Fast forward to 2011, less than two (2) years since the law’s inception, and the country is seeing a rise in international visitor arrivals, which spiked to 7.89% in the first quarter of 2010.

by: Jason dela Torre

In a bid to renew investor confidence and create more job opportunities to bolster the Philippine economy, President Benigno Aquino III is expected to pursue public-private partnerships in the financing and construction of key government infrastructure projects. The Aquino administration believes that public-partnerships are crucial to reducing the Philippines’ growing budget deficit, and ensuring the financial mobility of local governments in setting up infrastructure projects geared toward the overall improvement of their respective communities. Aquino is optimistic that in spite of his government’s lack of funding, their economic goals will be achieved through the institution of public-private partnerships in different sectors.