The next president of this country must have a strong leadership to deal a daunting task of instituting political and economic reforms that would provide peace and order, broaden the tax base, curb smuggling and a focus on food security to move the economy forward.

This was pointed out by Alfonso Uy, President of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, although he stressed that Federation is not going to endorse a presidential candidate in the forthcoming elections.

“The next president of this country would be faced with a daunting task of leading the domestic economy forward,” Uy said.

Uy said that without these reforms it would be difficult to attract investors and generate revenues to run the country.

For one, Uy said no businessman would invest in an area like in Maguindanao, one of the poorest regions in the country, if he cannot be assured of his own safety. That is why the next president should be firmed in pursuing peace and order all over the country.

“We must have peace and order especially in the rural areas to encourage investors to pour in their capital because no businessman would waste his money investing in a troubled area,” Uy said.

One very crucial issue is food security and the next president must prioritize investments in the agriculture sector like irrigation to enable farmers to plant even during dry season, he said.

Uy cited the rice shortage in the country two years ago and the country’s increasing volume of rice importation.

“What if the countries that we import rice from have not enough of their?” asked Uy.