FEF Co-hosts Asia Liberty Forum 2022, Awarded For Advocacy Work On Foreign Investment

The Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF) co-hosted Atlas Network’s Asia Liberty Forum 2022 on September 29-30 at the Shangri-La The Fort, Manila.

The Asia Liberty Forum is an annual conference that brings Atlas Network’s independent partners throughout Asia to discuss the pressing economic issues of the region and collaborate on new projects that champion free trade, open markets, and human rights.

FEF is a long-time partner of Atlas Network, organizing several joint initiatives through the years to liberalize the Philippine economy.

READ: FEF’s work on land reform wins Atlas Network’s 2019 Templeton Freedom Award

FEF fellows and staff were featured as speakers in sessions discussing labor markets and migration, autocracies and authoritarianism, women’s economic rights, innovation, food crisis, property rights, and disinformation, among others.

In one session, FEF President Calixto Chikiamco, together with Atty. George Katigbak, Atty. Erwin Tiamson, and Susan Bulan talked about FEF’s successful campaign of Republic Act No. 11573 and Republic Act No. 11659 to improve the country’s property rights system and business environment.

(Left photo) FEF discussed its policy wins in advancing property rights and greater market competition in the Philippines during the Asia Liberty Forum 2022. (Right photo) FEF Fellows Dr. Raul Fabella and Romeo Bernardo discussed “Freedom, Growth, and Inclusion in an Age of Inequality” during the Asia Liberty Awards Dinner

On September 29, FEF Fellow Dr. Raul Fabella and FEF Vice-Chairman Romeo Bernardo gave a keynote interview on freedom, growth, and inclusion in an age of inequality. They tackled the challenge of sustaining economic growth with rising inequality in low-income countries.

READ: “Freedom, Growth, and Inclusion in an Age of Inequality” (Part 1)

READ: “Freedom, Growth, and Inclusion in an Age of Inequality” (Part 2)

FEF finalist at Asia Liberty Awards 

FEF was named a finalist of the Atlas Network’s 2022 Asia Liberty Award for its game-changing work on amending the Public Service Act.

With over six years of efforts toward the reform, FEF was committed to bringing in greater investment and competition in the country for sectors crucial to economic growth and most importantly, human development.

Now, signed into law in March 2022, the Republic Act No.11659 is bound to provide greater choices and wider access at more affordable rates for necessary public services including telecommunication and transportation. The new policy provides a clear distinction between utilities and services which will allow competition for sectors previously dominated by a single or few service providers.

FEF was a finalist of the Atlas Network’s 2022 Asia Liberty Award for its role in the passage of the amended Public Service Act

Other finalists were the Afghanistan Economic and Legal Studies Organization from Afghanistan, and Advocata Institute from Sri Lanka which won the regional awards.

This award is part of the Templeton Freedom Award Prize program which recognizes think tanks that have made exceptional and innovative contributions to the understanding of free enterprise and to the promotion of prosperity, innovation, and human fulfillment through free competition in their regions. It is awarded annually in Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, Latin America, and Middle East & North Africa.

by Cesar Ilao III and Anica Isabella Franco