Former Department of Finance (DOF) secretary Roberto de Ocampo said during the Laging Handa briefing last Thursday that there is a need to further reopen the economy to “further help the economy move forward.”

De Ocampo stressed the need to respond to the impact of higher oil prices, and to further implement some of the amended reforms of the previous administration.

“Mag-a-announce siya (the President) ng iba’t ibang mga hakbang ng administrasyon upang lalong matulungan ang pinakamahihirap sa ating bansa para hindi naman sila masyadong maapektuhan at mabigyan sila ng tulong ng gobyerno habang mayroon tayong sitwasyon na ganito (He will announce various measures to further help the poor and give them government aid in this current situation),” he said.

Among the reform measures he cited were the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law and the Public Service Act that could help boost government revenues.

He also said that tapping the private sector in carrying out infrastructure projects is a plus for the economy to push for improvements in the business sector, such as in manufacturing.