Reaction Paper No.

The article discussed the emphasis on the advantages in engaging Foreign Direct
Investments (FDI) in the Philippines. On my side of the note, I have an existing unfavorable
disagreement on the proposed 100% foreign ownership of public services back then, in which
later on it is already approved and signed by President Rodrigo Duterte. As per reading the
article, I have realized that FDIs has its fair share of benefits that can help the economy of
the Philippines to recover and with this, I will further elaborate my perspective.
The pandemic and the current dispute between Ukraine and Russia greatly affected
the rise of oil prices and other commodities in the Philippines. Consumers and other
businesses are in shock as they have known how hard they’ll stretch out their financial
means. That’s why, in helping to keep up with inflation the first thing that I have favorably
noticed is the possible wide opportunities for jobs. Truly, Filipinos lost their jobs due to
these unforeseeable circumstances. With foreign direct investments, it can slowly open
more opportunities to increase income of employees and so as the country as well. With
FDIs, we can increase international trade and acquire more resources. Aside from the focus
of foreign investments, the recent implementation of the CREATE law which aims to reduce
the tax rate among corporations was a great initiative to help businesses minimize its tax
payments.
The “Filipino First Policy” which I greatly stand back then came into a new
perspective that this mindset develops recurring restrictions and ease development in the
country. Foreign direct investments could be the gateway through progress thus, I hope
that the government would still not loose ends and make appropriate controls to maintain
domestic protection in the Philippines.