Ni NOEL ABUEL
Nanindigan si Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez na ang Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) Act at maging karagdagang tulong para sa pagpopondo ng malalaking proyektong imprastraktura nang hindi nagkakaroon ng karagdagang utang sa ibang bansa o kailangang magpataw ng mga bagong buwis sa mamamayan.
Si Romualdez, isa sa may-akda ng MIF sa Kamara, ay kasama sa mga opisyales ng pamahalaan na sumaksi sa nilagdaang MIF law ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. sa Malacañang Palace.
“As an additional vehicle for financing, the MIF is expected to widen the fiscal space in the near- to medium-term as it reduces heavy reliance on local funds and development assistance as the main financing mechanisms for infrastructure projects,” sabi ni Romualdez.
“It is envisioned to enable the government to execute and sustain high-impact and long-term economic development programs and projects without imposing new or higher taxes,” dagdag pa nito.
Sinabi ni Romualdez na ang paggamit ng MIF bilang alternatibong mapagkukunan ng pagpopondo sa imprastraktura ay mangangahulugan din ng paglalaan ng mas maraming pondo sa taunang pambansang badyet para sa iba pang mahahalagang serbisyong panlipunan tulad ng edukasyon at kalusugan.
“The MIF is not only beneficial but necessary at this point in time. While the Philippines can offer investment opportunities, given that we are still a growing economy, we see that the cost of debt has risen, making the need to explore other vehicles to attract equity financing such as Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC)/MIF urgent,” sabi ng lider ng Kamara.
“The MIC/MIF is an investment for the future that we need to start building now. It is an ideal vehicle that is well-positioned to bring in investments as the Philippine economic outlook remains robust amid the global economic slowdown,” aniya pa.
Ipinunto nito na ang mga internasyonal na mamumuhunan ay nagpahayag na ng interes sa pamumuhunan sa MIF tulad ng Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) at ilang kumpanya ng Estados Unidos.
“Certainly, there will be more interest once the MIF is officially launched. These investments mean more development projects in various parts of the country, more jobs and livelihood for the Filipinos, and a better future for generations to come,” giit pa ni Romualdez.
Sinabi pa nito na inaasahan nito na ang MIF Act ay isa sa mga landmark na ipinasa ng 19th Congress.
“The Fund intends to allow for profitable investment development projects while also ensuring that there is flexibility in the market activities of the MIC/MIF,” ayon pa kay Romualdez.
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