BUSINESSES are generally satisfied with the Marcos administration’s performance, the chief of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) claimed on Monday.

“[I]n general, the Marcos administration has been listening, and we are happy about the outcome,” MAP President Rogelio Singson told reporters during a general membership meeting where the business group also recognized Isidro Consunji as Management Man of the Year.

Consunji, chairman and president of DMCI Holdings Inc., agreed, saying: “Economy-wise, overall, I think the administration’s economic team has done a stellar job in managing the economy.

“Despite the headwinds, the people are currently happy,” he added.

Singson, whose term ends on December 31, said progress had been made with regard to most of the MAP’s recommendations.

The business group in July released a wish list covering education, health care, agriculture and agribusiness, trade and industrial policy, infrastructure adequacy, labor market and employment policies, fiscal and financial policies, and justice and rule of law.

Among others, it called for the return of face-to-face classes; the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement; enhancement of the country’s attractiveness to foreign investments; the continuation of the “Build, Build, Build” program, policies in support of micro, small and medium enterprises; and government transparency and zero tolerance for corruption.

“In the past months, we have been able to talk with some of the secretaries,” Singsong said, particularly with regard to transport concerns, water adequacy, financial policies and public-private partnerships

He said the MAP was optimistic that the business environment would improve, noting that “right now, we are seeing that in many of the companies as they have gone back to their 2019 performance levels.”

“I can say our outlook is positive overall,” he said.