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6th PCCI Fun Run

The 33rd Visayas Area Business Conference (33 rd VABC) is slated on July 25-26, 2024 in
Iloilo City. Join us as we gather industry leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs from
across the region for dynamic discussions and networking opportunities.
With the collaborative efforts of three key regions - Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and
Eastern Visayas - this conference promises to be the largest and most impactful yet,
addressing current issues and exploring business opportunities in the vibrant Visayas
region hosted by the 2023 Most Outstanding Chamber in the Visayas and the Philippines,
the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Iloilo!
#33rdVABC
#OneVisayas
#PCCIVISAYAS

The 33rd Visayas Area Business Conference (33 rd VABC)

Business World

Business Mirror

The Manila Times

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Malaya Business Insight

Daily Tribune

The Philippine Star

Manila Bulletin

DZAR 1026

GMA Network

DZBB Super Radyo

ABS CBN

DZMM TeleRadyo

Cathayland

BA Securities Inc

THE Mandaue City government plans to relocate all informal settler families (ISF) currently occupying the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) by the end of April 2024.
This is as the City Government will initiate construction of a one-stop-shop government center eyed to replace the CICC.
The City Government plans to transfer the ISF to temporary shelters in Barangay Guizo.
August Lizer Malate, executive assistant head of the Mayor’s Management Team and the City’s Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO), in a media interview on Tuesday, April 2, said the City has prepared over 300 temporary housing units in Barangay Guizo to relocate the families occupying the CICC.
The housing units are located across the CICC called “Pasilong Para sa Paradise.”
Around 500 families displaced in fires in Barangay Guizo in 2016 and Sitios Basubas and Maharlika in Barangay Tipolo in 2019 are currently taking shelter at the CICC.
Malate said the City is currently preparing the housing utilities, such as water supply and electricity connection to facilitate the transfer of its beneficiaries by the end of April.
He said the City aims to hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the government center in April as well.
The Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and Mandaue City signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on March 5 to borrow P3 billion for infrastructure projects, including the One-Stop-Shop government center.
Under the MOA, Mandaue will repay the amount in staggered payments over 15 years.
Malate said DBP will grant the City a grace period before Mandaue begins making payments, although the exact duration of this grace period has not been specified.
Pasilong Para sa Paradise
The Pasilong Para sa Paradise is a collaborative effort between the Mandaue City Government and the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI).
It aims to provide temporary shelter to families that have been recently affected by several fires, including the approximately 700 families displaced by the fire in Sitio Paradise in Barangay Looc in 2022.
Malate said the temporary housing facility will comprise at least 25 blocks, each consisting of 24 housing units. Each housing unit has an area of about 20 square meters.
He clarified that beneficiaries of these shelters would be responsible only for their electric and water bills.
More temporary housing
Meanwhile, Malate said the City plans to build additional temporary housing facilities for around 500 families displaced by the fire that hit Sitio Under the Bridge in Barangay Looc on March 12.
The new relocation site will be located in Looc, next to the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM) Campus, along the road leading to Barangay Opao called Sitio Riverside.
Mayor Jonas Cortes previously said the City aims to relocate the fire victims to their temporary shelters this week.
According to Malate, all beneficiaries in the temporary housing units will eventually be transferred to Tipolo Residences in Sitio Maharlika in Barangay Tipolo, a socialized housing project by the City, contractor Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) under the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program of the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., and other stakeholders.
Tipolo Residences
In January 2023, the City announced that around 194 families would relocate to their new homes at the Tipolo Residences upon the completion of the first two buildings in October of the same year.
However, Johnbee Biton, head of the City’s Housing and Urban Development Office, said the first two buildings of the five-building project might not be ready for occupancy by then and will be postponed to May 2024.
He cited the delay in the construction of the buildings as the reason for the postponement.
City Administrator James Jamaal Calipayan, in a separate interview, said the project site had to be elevated first since the area is low-lying and flood-prone.
Source: https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/mandaue-city-to-relocate-informal-settler-families-from-cicc-by-april
By <a href="https://www.sunstar.com.ph/author/honey-cotejo-2" target="_self">Honey I. Cotejo</a>

Mandaue City to relocate informal settler families from CICC by April

BOTH the public and private sectors in Cebu are calling for a more localized approach in addressing the imminent energy crisis in their province to ensure constant electrification of  both the residential and business customers.
The urgency of their appeal stems from the Department of Energy’s (DOE) prediction of a big shortfall of 1,400 megawatts in electricity supply in Cebu by 2026, posing a significant risk to economic stability and the well-being of its people.
The renewed economic vitality of the Queen City of the South could be attributed to a surge in tourism and other businesses like the booming business process outsourcing and real estate sectors.
Unfortunately their heightened activities spur a constantly increasing demand for energy-power supply upon which every household, factory, office, hotel, retail mall and other essential services depend on, such as clean running water, connectivity, safety and security, and health services.
Cognizant of which, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) President Charles Kenneth Co Cebu sounded the alarm that Cebu faces impending power shortages unless new plants are built.
“The NGCP [National Grid Corp. Philippines] forecasts Cebu’s power requirement is growing 7 percent a year. Maybe in the next 3-4 years, if no new power plants are built, magkakaroon na ng [there will be] power shortage. This is the challenge since it also takes 3-4 years to build a power plant,” he noted.
Cebu is home to 64 percent of Central Visayas’ population. Amid its constant reign as the country’s wealthiest province for the ninth successive year, it remains dependent on power supply from other neighboring islands like Negros, Leyte and Mindanao, who at this time will be equally challenged by the El Niño phenomenon.
Metro Cebu, for instance, with highly urbanized cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and Cebu City, accounts for half of the province’s overall demand as they are homes to various industrial, retail, hospitality, and office establishments, as well as residential developments such as subdivisions and condominium projects. Cebu, in turn, partakes half of the entire Visayas region’s total requirement.
While the DOE has green lighted several power projects for Central Visayas meant to boost up its energy capacity, the entire Visayas region already faces a precarious circumstance with limited reserves compared to Luzon and Mindanao—another reality highlighted by Panay’s black January.
Exacerbating the situation is the ensuing El Niño, which is being felt nationwide. This is projected to stretch through the first half of 2024.
A scenario of long-drawn power shortages and blackouts in Cebu is feared to have catastrophic consequences.
Taking a cue from the Cory administration blackouts that brought down the Philippine economy on its knees in the 1990s, the CCCI president warned that Cebu could ill afford such “last-minute” mentality.
Had the province do not secure now its energy needs, Co believes that a Cory-style energy crisis will cost the region billions of pesos in productivity, triggering shutdowns, job losses, dampening the investment climate, and compromising all social services.
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia could not agree more to him. She, too, has emphasized the importance of investing in inland baseload power plants for energy security.
Although she recognizes the importance of the Mindanao-Visayas interconnection project, Garcia stressed the need for Cebu’s self-sufficiency in power to sustain its robust economy and growing population, urging immediate action rather than waiting until 2027.
Increasing conventional power capacity together with renewable energy investments is critical for a balanced energy ecosystem that supports development and sustainability goals.
Cebu, with its thriving industries producing multiplier effects across society and uplifting living standards, literally needs energy to sustain its momentum.
The provincial governor’s strong support for power independence shows a forward-thinking mindset in tackling the province’s energy needs, securing its ongoing development, and ensuring the welfare of its citizens and the environment.
Source: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2024/04/03/more-power-plants-localized-solutions-needed-to-save-cebu-residents/

More power plants, localized solutions needed to save Cebu residents

Electronic Commerce Payment Inc. (ECPay) executive Raymund Jude Aguilar is leading the Philippines’ biggest business conference happening on October 22-23 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, Pasay City.
Consul Enunina V. Mangio, the President of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), announced the appointment of Aguilar as Chairman of the 50th Philippine Business Conference &amp; Expo following an executive session that unanimously voted him for the position. Aguilar is also the Vice President of the PCCI and Director for International Affairs.&nbsp;
“We are glad that Jude accepted the challenge of leading this year’s conference. We know the task ahead is daunting but we trust in his expertise, competence, and commitment to lead and deliver, especially now that we are celebrating the golden year of PBC&amp;E,” Mangio said.
The 50th PBC&amp;E banners “Embracing Innovation. Empowering Business. Enriching Lives.” It looks back on the role of PBC&amp;E over the years in promoting a transformative agenda for the country and how it has strategically positioned businesses to take advantage of new and emerging opportunities.
“I am honored for the trust and at the same time excited for the job. I will do everything I can with the support of my colleagues and the hardworking secretariat to make this conference bigger, better, and bolder,” Aguilar said, who is currently a director of ECPay Inc., the largest e-payments service provider in the Philippines with over 500,000 touch points and outlets nationwide.
The PBC&amp;E is an annual business event organized by the PCCI that serves as a venue for policymakers, business leaders, international partners, academe, and MSMEs to meet, discuss issues and come up with policy recommendations to help create a business environment that is sustainable and resilient.
It traditionally opens with the Vice President of the Philippines delivering a keynote address and concludes with the President of the Philippines receiving a set of policy recommendations that emanate from PCCI members, local chambers, and industry partners.&nbsp;
Aside from ECPay, Aguilar is also a founder and director of several companies including Recycle Plus Inc. (RPI), a waste management and recycling company; GATE Distribution Enterprise, Inc., an accredited major distributor of telco and online gaming products and services in the Philippines; WERRA Logistics Inc., AXIOS Ventures Inc., Genzai Corporation and Pharmaco Inc.&nbsp;
Aguilar finished his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of the Philippines and took his Masters in Business Administration from the Asian Institute of Management (AIM).

ECPay exec leads 50th Philippine Business Conference & Expo

THE Mandaue City government plans to relocate all informal settler families (ISF) currently occupying the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) by the end of April 2024.
This is as the City Government will initiate construction of a one-stop-shop government center eyed to replace the CICC.
The City Government plans to transfer the ISF to temporary shelters in Barangay Guizo.
August Lizer Malate, executive assistant head of the Mayor’s Management Team and the City’s Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO), in a media interview on Tuesday, April 2, said the City has prepared over 300 temporary housing units in Barangay Guizo to relocate the families occupying the CICC.
The housing units are located across the CICC called “Pasilong Para sa Paradise.”
Around 500 families displaced in fires in Barangay Guizo in 2016 and Sitios Basubas and Maharlika in Barangay Tipolo in 2019 are currently taking shelter at the CICC.
Malate said the City is currently preparing the housing utilities, such as water supply and electricity connection to facilitate the transfer of its beneficiaries by the end of April.
He said the City aims to hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the government center in April as well.
The Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and Mandaue City signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on March 5 to borrow P3 billion for infrastructure projects, including the One-Stop-Shop government center.
Under the MOA, Mandaue will repay the amount in staggered payments over 15 years.
Malate said DBP will grant the City a grace period before Mandaue begins making payments, although the exact duration of this grace period has not been specified.
Pasilong Para sa Paradise
The Pasilong Para sa Paradise is a collaborative effort between the Mandaue City Government and the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI).
It aims to provide temporary shelter to families that have been recently affected by several fires, including the approximately 700 families displaced by the fire in Sitio Paradise in Barangay Looc in 2022.
Malate said the temporary housing facility will comprise at least 25 blocks, each consisting of 24 housing units. Each housing unit has an area of about 20 square meters.
He clarified that beneficiaries of these shelters would be responsible only for their electric and water bills.
More temporary housing
Meanwhile, Malate said the City plans to build additional temporary housing facilities for around 500 families displaced by the fire that hit Sitio Under the Bridge in Barangay Looc on March 12.
The new relocation site will be located in Looc, next to the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM) Campus, along the road leading to Barangay Opao called Sitio Riverside.
Mayor Jonas Cortes previously said the City aims to relocate the fire victims to their temporary shelters this week.
According to Malate, all beneficiaries in the temporary housing units will eventually be transferred to Tipolo Residences in Sitio Maharlika in Barangay Tipolo, a socialized housing project by the City, contractor Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) under the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program of the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., and other stakeholders.
Tipolo Residences
In January 2023, the City announced that around 194 families would relocate to their new homes at the Tipolo Residences upon the completion of the first two buildings in October of the same year.
However, Johnbee Biton, head of the City’s Housing and Urban Development Office, said the first two buildings of the five-building project might not be ready for occupancy by then and will be postponed to May 2024.
He cited the delay in the construction of the buildings as the reason for the postponement.
City Administrator James Jamaal Calipayan, in a separate interview, said the project site had to be elevated first since the area is low-lying and flood-prone. / HIC
Source: https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/mandaue-city-to-relocate-informal-settler-families-from-cicc-by-april#google_vignette
By: <a href="https://www.sunstar.com.ph/author/honey-cotejo-2" target="_self">Honey I. Cotejo</a>

BOTH the public and private sectors in Cebu are calling for a more localized approach in addressing the imminent energy crisis in their province to ensure constant electrification of  both the residential and business customers.
The urgency of their appeal stems from the Department of Energy’s (DOE) prediction of a big shortfall of 1,400 megawatts in electricity supply in Cebu by 2026, posing a significant risk to economic stability and the well-being of its people.
The renewed economic vitality of the Queen City of the South could be attributed to a surge in tourism and other businesses like the booming business process outsourcing and real estate sectors.
Unfortunately their heightened activities spur a constantly increasing demand for energy-power supply upon which every household, factory, office, hotel, retail mall and other essential services depend on, such as clean running water, connectivity, safety and security, and health services.
Cognizant of which, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) President Charles Kenneth Co Cebu sounded the alarm that Cebu faces impending power shortages unless new plants are built.
“The NGCP [National Grid Corp. Philippines] forecasts Cebu’s power requirement is growing 7 percent a year. Maybe in the next 3-4 years, if no new power plants are built, magkakaroon na ng [there will be] power shortage. This is the challenge since it also takes 3-4 years to build a power plant,” he noted.
Cebu is home to 64 percent of Central Visayas’ population. Amid its constant reign as the country’s wealthiest province for the ninth successive year, it remains dependent on power supply from other neighboring islands like Negros, Leyte and Mindanao, who at this time will be equally challenged by the El Niño phenomenon.
Metro Cebu, for instance, with highly urbanized cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and Cebu City, accounts for half of the province’s overall demand as they are homes to various industrial, retail, hospitality, and office establishments, as well as residential developments such as subdivisions and condominium projects. Cebu, in turn, partakes half of the entire Visayas region’s total requirement.
While the DOE has green lighted several power projects for Central Visayas meant to boost up its energy capacity, the entire Visayas region already faces a precarious circumstance with limited reserves compared to Luzon and Mindanao—another reality highlighted by Panay’s black January.
Exacerbating the situation is the ensuing El Niño, which is being felt nationwide. This is projected to stretch through the first half of 2024.
A scenario of long-drawn power shortages and blackouts in Cebu is feared to have catastrophic consequences.
Taking a cue from the Cory administration blackouts that brought down the Philippine economy on its knees in the 1990s, the CCCI president warned that Cebu could ill afford such “last-minute” mentality.
Had the province do not secure now its energy needs, Co believes that a Cory-style energy crisis will cost the region billions of pesos in productivity, triggering shutdowns, job losses, dampening the investment climate, and compromising all social services.
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia could not agree more to him. She, too, has emphasized the importance of investing in inland baseload power plants for energy security.
Although she recognizes the importance of the Mindanao-Visayas interconnection project, Garcia stressed the need for Cebu’s self-sufficiency in power to sustain its robust economy and growing population, urging immediate action rather than waiting until 2027.
Increasing conventional power capacity together with renewable energy investments is critical for a balanced energy ecosystem that supports development and sustainability goals.
Cebu, with its thriving industries producing multiplier effects across society and uplifting living standards, literally needs energy to sustain its momentum.
The provincial governor’s strong support for power independence shows a forward-thinking mindset in tackling the province’s energy needs, securing its ongoing development, and ensuring the welfare of its citizens and the environment.
Source: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2024/04/03/more-power-plants-localized-solutions-needed-to-save-cebu-residents/
By: <a href="https://businessmirror.com.ph/author/roderickabad/" target="_self">Roderick Abad</a>

MANILA – Three business agreements were signed between the Philippines and the Czech Republic on the last day of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s state visit to Prague on Friday.
Marcos, along with Czech President Petr Pavel, witnessed the signing of deals during the Philippines-Czech Business Forum held at Czernin Palace.
Among the agreements signed was the memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc. (SEIPI) and Electrical and Electronic Association of the Czech Republic (ELA).
Under the deal, SEIPI and ELA will establish a long-term collaborative relationship in the field of electronics that would include participation in the global network of leading technology and innovation centers or engagement of small and midsized companies.
The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines, Inc. (IBPAP) and the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic (SPCR) also signed an Agreement of Mutual Cooperation to promote commercial and industrial relations.
The cooperation deal between the IBPAP and SPCR covers exchange of better practices on policy and regulations; development and promotion of information technology (IT) competencies; and certification or facilitation of responsible implementation of artificial intelligence.
Likewise signed was the Agreement of Mutual Cooperation between the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the SPCR to promote trade and investment between the Philippines and the Czech Republic.
There will be exchanges of trade missions, organization of trade and investment seminars, and exchange of market information between the PCCI and the SPCR.
In his speech, Marcos said the agreements mark a significant milestone in the two countries’ journey towards mutual prosperity.
“These agreements are not just documents. They are a commitment to unlocking the vast potential that lies in our partnership,” Marcos said.
“Today’s agreements also signify a very exciting step forward. They embody our commitment to complement our strengths and explore new avenues of cooperation,” he added.
Marcos said the Philippines, with its strategic location and vibrant economy, is committed to become a reliable partner for the Czech Republic in implementing its Indo-Pacific Strategy.
“We believe that by working together, we can achieve our shared goals of stability, economic growth and sustainable development in the region,” he said.
Free trade talks
Marcos also asked for the Czech Republic’s support for the resumption of negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Philippines and the Eurooean Union (EU).
He said the resumption of talks for the FTA would be a “big step” in furthering the Philippines’ trade ties with the EU member-states, including the Czech Republic.
He said the free trade deal is essential in establishing “a stable, predictable and enabling business environment that promotes inclusive and sustainable growth and development."
The Philippines and the EU launched exploratory talks on bilateral FTA in 2013.
There were two negotiations held in Brussels in 2016 and in Cebu in 2017. Talks have been on hiatus since then.
Marcos said he also looks forward to welcoming Czech Republic companies to further discussions and potential industry cooperation during the Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation in July this year.
He said the forum aims to deepen the dialogue, explore new partnerships and foster an environment conducive to business and investment between the Philippines and the Czech Republic.
“With mutual respect and understanding, we can forge a partnership that not only benefits our nations but also contribute to the broader goals of peace, prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific Region and beyond,” Marcos said.
The Czech Republic ranked as the Philippines’ 39th trading partner, 28th export market, and 47th import supplier in 2022, with total bilateral trade amounting to USD303.21 million. (PNA)
Source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1220936

PH inks 3 biz deals with Czechia; seeks FTA talks resumption with EU

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it received expressions of interest from a Czech technology to engage in Philippine partnerships in electronics manufacturing, information technology and business process management (IT-BPM), and defense.
In a statement, the DTI said that it met with representatives of ERA, a surveillance and reconnaissance technology company, which plans to establish a presence in the Philippines.
“ERA’s plans align perfectly with the Philippines’ strategic vision for economic development,” Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual said.
“We’re excited about the immense potential for collaboration and technological knowledge transfer between ERA and other leading industrial players,” he added.
ERA has said it hopes to tap the Philippine electronics industry, which includes over 1,000 companies and employs 3 million workers.
The DTI also said that ERA also finds the Philippine IT-BPM industry talent pool attractive.
“(This provides) a reliable pool of talent for companies like ERA seeking to expand their operations in the Philippines,” the department said.
ERA also expressed interest in military and civilian security ventures in the Philippines.
On Saturday, the DTI also reported that the Philippine delegation signed three partnership deals at the Philippine-Czech Business Forum in Prague.
One of the agreements was signed between the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc. and the Electrical and Electronic Association of the Czech Republic.
The second memorandum of understanding was signed between the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines, Inc. and the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic.
The last deal was between the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic. — Justine Irish D. Tabile
Source: https://www.bworldonline.com/economy/2024/03/17/582356/czech-company-expresses-interest-in-phl-electronics-infotech-defense-tie-ups/

Czech company expresses interest in PHL electronics, infotech, defense tie-ups

The Buklod Bayani Coalition (BBC), a business sector-led platform which aims to further improve the ease of doing business and deliver more efficient government services, holds its partners’ meeting at the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) office in Upper McKinley Hill, Taguig City.
The Buklod Bayani Coalition (BBC), a business sector-led platform which aims to further improve the ease of doing business and deliver more efficient government services, holds its partners’ meeting at the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) office in Upper McKinley Hill, Taguig City. Attending the meeting are (seated, from left) BBC secretary general Roberto Alvarez Jr.
; Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) deputy director Gerald Divinagracia; Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy; Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr.; Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma; PCCI honorary chair and treasurer, Philexport president and Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) president Sergio Ortiz Luis Jr.; and ECOP chairman Edgardo Lacson. Standing are (from left) Gia Veloso of PCCI CSR committee; Jennylei Caberte of PCCI publicity and promotions/ PR committee; Hazel Bautista of Sutra Cosmetics Inc
Source: https://headtopics.com/ph/buklod-bayani-coalition-holds-partners-meeting-at-pcci-49477492

Buklod Bayani Coalition Holds Partners' Meeting at PCCI Office

The Buklod Bayani Coalition (BBC), a business sector-led platform which aims to further improve the ease of doing business and deliver more efficient government services, holds its partners’ meeting at the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) office in Upper McKinley Hill, Taguig City. Attending the meeting are (seated, from left) BBC secretary general Roberto Alvarez Jr.; Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) deputy director Gerald Divinagracia; Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy; Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr.; Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma; PCCI honorary chair and treasurer, Philexport president and Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) president Sergio Ortiz Luis Jr.; and ECOP chairman Edgardo Lacson. Standing are (from left) Gia Veloso of PCCI CSR committee; Jennylei Caberte of PCCI publicity and promotions/ PR committee; Hazel Bautista of Sutra Cosmetics Inc.; PCCI assistant treasurer Bernardo Benedicto III; Nora Lacuna and Delia Jimenez of PCCI CSR committee; BBC executive director Din Mabanta; Anton Sayo of PCCI Intellectual Property committee; and ECOP governor Ranulfo Payos.
Source: https://www.manilastandard.net/gallery/314426489/business-coalition.html
By <a href="https://www.manilastandard.net/author/jer-guanc" target="_self">Manila Standard</a>

Business coalition

Four years following the initial COVID-19 lockdown, the Philippine economy has not only recovered but also exceeded expectations, according to the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI). PCCI President Enunina "Nina" Mangio detailed the significant growth and investment trends, marking a robust economic revival.
<h2>Growth Trajectory and Economic Indicators</h2>
Despite missing the government's ambitious growth target, the Philippines concluded 2023 with a commendable 5.6 percent growth rate, the fastest among ASEAN countries. This achievement is underscored by a deceleration in inflation rates, with December 2023 recording a low of 3.9 percent, further easing to 2.8 percent by January 2024. Such figures, according to Mangio, signal a promising trajectory for stronger growth ahead.
<h2>Employment and Investment Rebound</h2>
Remarkable improvements in the labor market have been observed, with the Labor Force Survey (LFS) of January 2024 showing 45.9 million employed individuals, a significant portion of which (67.1%) are wage and salary workers in the private sector. The underemployment rate also saw a slight decrease. Investments have witnessed a significant rebound, with the fourth quarter of 2023 experiencing an 11.2% growth. This resurgence in investments is partly attributed to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s successful business trips, which have garnered approximately PHP4.019 trillion in investment pledges.
<h2>Health and Economy: A Symbiotic Relationship</h2>
Reflecting on the pandemic's onset, PCCI remains hopeful for no recurrence, praising the government's commitment to bolstering the healthcare system. This includes the establishment of specialty centers and increased budgetary allocations for health facilities. Health Asec. Albert Domingo emphasized the integral relationship between health and economic prosperity, advocating for a focus on primary care and preparedness of health centers.
As the Philippine economy strides forward, the concerted efforts in improving health facilities, job quality, and investment attraction are pivotal. The PCCI's optimistic outlook, coupled with strategic government initiatives, sets a hopeful tone for sustained economic growth and resilience against future crises.
Source: https://bnnbreaking.com/breaking-news/economy/philippines-economy-surges-post-lockdown-pcci-highlights-growth-and-investment-boom
By <a href="https://bnnbreaking.com/author/shivani" target="_self">Shivani Chauhan</a>

Philippines' Economy Surges Post-Lockdown, PCCI Highlights Growth and Investment Boom

ABA 2023

49th PBC&E

News

Mandaue City to relocate informal settler families from CICC by April

More power plants, localized solutions needed to save Cebu residents

ECPay exec leads 50th Philippine Business Conference & Expo

Mandaue City to relocate informal settler families from CICC by April

Upcoming Events

6th PCCI Fun Run

The 33rd Visayas Area Business Conference (33 rd VABC)