Marcos, Duterte to address PH business at the 48th PBC&E

GUEST COLUMNIST

BUSINESS TALK

By WILLIAM S. CO, chairman, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and Vice President Sara Duterte – Carpio, will speak before the Philippine business community at the 48th Philippine Business Conference & Expo (48th PBC&E) happening on Oct. 19-20 at the Grand Ballroom of the Manila Hotel.

Over a thousand delegates from across the country and overseas will gather at the historic Manila Hotel, for the first time in two years after being captive virtually due to Covid-19, to listen to the policy pronouncements of President Marcos, specifically on the government plans and priorities toward moving the country forward and sustaining our economic growth.

This is I suppose the first time that the President will appear and speak before a huge number of Filipino businessmen after his overwhelming win in the May 2022 national elections. We are extremely overwhelmed and we look forward to listening to the President as he takes the lead in navigating our country to prosperity.

The 48th PBC&E chairman and my good friend, Perry Ferrer, had earlier enunciated that this year’s conference will look at how this administration will drive our economy, build on the economic reforms instituted by the previous administration and sustain our growth trajectory.  In his words, he said that “the business community is looking forward to having a more participative role in crafting policies and directions in order for several important industries to grow and create opportunities for Filipinos.”

Indeed, our country is in a position for a strong economic rebound with the easing of economic restrictions. Hence, the need for us to take this opportunity to collectively work in crafting policies and programs that would renew the trust and confidence of businessmen in investing in the country.

The conference will open with the keynote address of Vice President Duterte. It will immediately be followed by Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno setting the tone of the conference with Finance Undersecretary Juvy Danofrata to discuss fiscal policy matters. Thereafter, an exciting fireside chat with Secretary Arsenio Balisacan of the National Economic Development (NEDA) hosted by GMA 7 News Anchor Ivan Mayrina.

We also have put together some of the country’s top business executives for Plenary 3: Regaining Lost Ground: Perspectives from the Private Sector. Confirmed to join are Teresita Sy-Coson, vice chairman, SM Investment Corp.; Anthony Oundjian, managing director and partner, Boston Consulting Group; Raoul Eduardo C. Romulo, chief finance officer, San Miguel Holdings Corp; George Royeca, CEO, Angkas; Benito C. Bengzon, Jr., executive director, Philippine Hotel Owners’ Association; and Manuel Lozano, chief finance officer, Aboitiz Equity Ventures.  The session will be moderated by CNN Philippines News Anchor, Rico Hizon.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos will be the speaker for Plenary 4: The Governance Agenda: Strengthening Competitiveness for Trade and Investment Expansion. He will be joined by Anti-Red Tape Authority Officer-in-Charge, Undersecretary Ernesto V. Perez and panel discussants, Atty. Arch. Felino A. Palafox, Jr., principal Architect-Urban planner and founder, Palafox Associates and Atty. Dante R. Bravo, president and COO, Global Ferronickel Holding, Inc. and chairman for PCCI mining committee to discuss the issues in the implementation of the ease of doing business.  Dr. Carl Balita, entrepreneur educator, chairman, PCCI basic education committee and chairman Emeritus will be moderating the session.

Plenary 5: Maximizing Opportunities for Economic Growth: Developing the Country’s Natural Capital Agriculture and Fishery will be an equally interesting session. We will have Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban, Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual, Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga. This session will be moderated by seasoned economist and trade expert, Dr. Cielito F. Habito of the Ateneo de Manila University.

Another interesting session is on infrastructure development.  Plenary 6: Competitive Infrastructure, the Foundation of a Resilient Economy will discuss the state of the Build. Build. Build program in the country and insights from the private sector on how the Philippines can be transformed into Asia’s logistics hub. For this session, we are happy to have Secretary Jaime Bautista of the Transportation Department and Secretary Manuel Bonoan of Public Works and Highways and Dr. Robert H. Yap, executive chairman, YCH Group and Mr. Bert Lina, chairman, and president, Air21. Moderating this session will be Dr. Enrico L. Basilio, senior adviser for Transport and Logistics, PCCI and chief of Party, USAID-RESPOND Project.

Moreover, an equally important discussion will be on digital infrastructure. Plenary 7: Leaving No One Behind in the Digital Era: Is our Infrastructure Ready? will have Secretary John Ivan E. Uy of the Department of Information and Communication Technology, Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr., Department of Science and Technology, and Dr. Joel Joseph S. Marciano, Jr., director-general, Philippine Space Agency, as speakers. Joining them in the panel discussion are Gabriel Pimentel, Trans-Pacific Broadband Group International; Edward Du, Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Dennis Anthony H. Uy, founder, Converge ICT Solutions, Inc. and chairman, digital technology committee, PCCI; Usec. Angelo G. Nuestro, Department of Information and Communications Technology. The session will be moderated by Engr. Ramon D. Escueta, president, Apsys Solutions and Technologies, Inc. and chairman, science and technology committee, PCCI.

Finally, Plenary 8: Building Competitive Partnerships, Sustaining Economic Transformation will talk about how the Philippines can build strategic alliances to expand markets and attract more investments and obtain cutting-edge technology. To talk more and present their respective insights on the topic are H.E. Huang Xilian, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Philippines, and Ms. Heather Variava, deputy chief of Mission, Embassy of the United States of America to the Philippines.

There will also several breakout sessions and business matching as side events of the conference. Some business delegations are coming to attend the event and explore possible business opportunities and joint ventures with Filipino businessmen.

PCCI to submit wishlist to President Marcos

The conference will conclude with PCCI handing over a set of policy resolutions to President Marcos. The resolutions capture the collective aspirations and expectations of the Philippine business community to the new administration as it steers the direction of the Philippine economy rebounding from the pandemic. The resolutions cover a wide range of issues from achieving food security, transparent and affordable health care, employment generation, globally-competitive education and training standards, strengthened national security, reliable and competitive digitalization, climate change resilient and environmental-friendly policies, affordable power, safe and efficient transportation, and an outward and forward-looking trade policy.

As we speak, the conference is already oversubscribed. Congratulations to Perry and the entire 48TH PBC organizing committee and Secretariat for yet another meaningful and productive conference.

(Dr. William S. Co is chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and director of the Agriculture and Fishery committee)