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As a result of the election of President Rodrigo Duterte in mid-2016, decentralisation and rural development have been put in the spotlight for the national agenda. Prospective investors, government planners and citizens are increasingly encouraged to look at provincial sites as destinations for investment, development and migration. The three fastest-growing regions outside of Metro Manila in 2015 were Bicol, Western Visayas and Calabarzon. Decentralisation, however, remains a slow-moving process, as the dominance of Metro Manila as the country’s economic, political and cultural nucleus has only grown stronger over the years, having been the leading magnet for investors, factories and migrants, often at the expense of previously more buoyant regions further afield. This chapter contains interviews with Hermilando Mandanas, Governor, Province of Batangas; Alfredo Marañon Jr, Governor, Province of Negros Occidental; and Antonio Rafael del Rosario, Governor, Province of Davao del Norte.

This chapter examines the Philippines’ legal system, focusing on rules and regulations revised in 2016, new directives that affect investors, procurement and other key areas. It also features an interview with Sylvette Tankiang, Senior Partner, V&A Law.

This chapter examines the Philippines’ tax regime, focusing on the territorial system for foreign companies and individuals, financial reporting framework, special economic zone tax benefits and other key areas. It also features an interview with Marivic Españo, Chairperson and CEO, P&A Grant Thornton.

The Philippines has embarked on education reforms that it considers crucial to its economic development, bringing its school system into line with international standards and seeking to open up its higher education sector to more people, while supporting research and development activities that will raise its academic profile and bring lasting benefits to the country. The government had to overcome substantial opposition to introduce a K-12 structure, a sign of its determination to bring lasting change, but sustained funding to support the increased demand on resources will be crucial if these bold reforms are to be a success. This chapter contains an interview with Jikyeong Kang, President and Dean, Asian Institute of Management.

Given the remarkable strides in improving health outcomes since the 1970s, Filipinos are generally living longer and healthier lives than their predecessors. But despite these advances, the country lags behind many of its neighbours on key health indicators, such as the maternal mortality rate and incidence of tuberculosis. Its health expenditure is also considerably less than other countries in South-east Asia. At the same time, lifestyle diseases are emerging as a new health challenge, requiring different responses. These are the issues that the Philippines faces as it moves forward with its commitment to achieve universal health coverage, ensuring that all Filipinos have access to quality, affordable health care. This chapter contains interviews with Paulyn Jean B Rosell-Ubial, Secretary, Department of Health; and Dr Edgardo R Cortez, President and CEO, St Luke’s Medical Centre.