𝟏𝟐𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐤𝐚𝐝𝐚 𝐏𝐡 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐭 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡

Dr. Gilberto M. Llanto, RESPOND Team Leader providing inputs during the panel discussion on Water, Energy, and Food Security Nexus in Policy Development. (Photo: Paolo Antonio Fernando, RESPOND Project)

The 12th Annual Arangkada Philippines Forum, themed "Towards Sustainable Transformation," successfully convened business leaders, high-ranking government officials, and other stakeholders last 26 October 2023 in Pasay City to explore the various perspectives on how to facilitate and further integrate the principles of sustainability in accelerating inclusive growth and development. In his opening remarks, Secretary Arsenio Balisacan of the National Economic Development Authority emphasized the government’s recent reforms in revamping the governing frameworks for high-impact public private partnerships open to foreign investment such as the Executive Order on Expediting the Processing of Documentary Requirements for Infrastructure Flagship Projects worth USD 155 billion. The forum was organized by the Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) with support from the USAID Regulatory Reform Support Program for National Development (RESPOND) Project through the U.P. Public Administration Research and Extension Services Foundation, Inc. (UPPAF). RESPOND Team Leader, Dr. Gilberto M. Llanto, participated in the event as a panelist, offering invaluable insights into the critical topic of Food Security. He said that the forum is very timely as it brings business, government, and other stakeholders to a serious discussion of business practices that contribute to sustainable transformations.

The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. (AmCham) which was the lead organizer of the forum is a subgrantee of the RESPOND Project.

𝑺𝒐 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕? The forum was an avenue for thought leaders and stakeholders to collaborate seamlessly toward ensuring inclusive economic growth in the Philippines.

Dr. Gilberto M. Llanto, RESPOND Team Leader (far right) posing for picture with the other panel members on the Water, Energy, and Food Security Nexus in Policy Development. (Photo: Paolo Antonio Fernando, RESPOND Project)