Makati Business Club, Inc.

14/08/2026

[READ | JOINT STATEMENT] Far Eastern University (FEU), Federation Of Filipino-Chinese Chambers Of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII), Gensan Chamber Of Commerce, Philippine Business For Education (PBEd), Phinma Education Holdings Inc., Makati Business Club (MBC), Management Association Of The Philippines (MAP), Philippine Business For Social Progress (PBSP), Philippine Chamber Of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), and Private Sector Jobs and Skills Corporation (PCORP) recognize the significance of a sustained investment in education to the country's continued growth and global competitiveness.

Read the joint statement on MBC's website: https://mbc.com.ph/2026/08/14/joint-statement-on-upholding-the-gdp-education-budget/

See the original post on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1E7ME3JNgH/

13/08/2026

[READ | MBC's Business Matters Column on INQ]

MBC member Edilberto de Jesus discussed the Department of Education’s (DepEd) largest budget ever, estimated at P1.05 trillion. Receiving 4% of the GDP, he expounded on how the department can decide the best use of its larger funds, with the guidance of the Global Education Evidence Advisory Panel (GEEAP) research on education’s “Best Buys."

Check out MBC’s Business Matters archive: https://mbc.com.ph/mbc-business-matters-column/

13/08/2026

RECAP: On July 21, MBC Executive Director Julia Abad and MBC Deputy Executive Director Michelle Dee met with Hellenic-ASEAN Business Council (HABC) Partnership Director Katerina Karakehagia, together with the MBC Membership and Partnerships (M&P) Team, for a courtesy call.

The courtesy call explored opportunities for collaboration in maritime and tourism. Discussions also covered potential joint initiatives, including networking activities, business matching initiatives, and policy dialogues that would strengthen linkages between the Philippine and Hellenic business communities.

Last year, MBC hosted a networking reception for delegates of the Hellenic-ASEAN Business Council who visited the Philippines for the first time in November. In May 2026, both organizations signed a Memorandum of Agreement to formalize their collaboration.

12/08/2026

MBC is proud to announce that one of its members, Ascendion, has been named the inaugural recipient of the AI Impact Program of the Year award at the IBPAP SOLAIA Awards 2026, one of the most prestigious recognition programs in the Philippine IT-BPM industry.

The award recognizes organizations that have successfully moved AI beyond experimentation and pilot projects into scalable, real-world deployment, delivering measurable business outcomes. Selected from a highly competitive field of globally recognized technology and business services organizations, Ascendion was recognized for its AI-powered software engineering and client solutions that demonstrate enterprise-scale impact.

The recognition reflects a broader industry shift from AI hype to AI impact and underscores the Philippines' growing role in advancing enterprise AI innovation.

Kudos to Manan, Philippines Country Head, and the entire Ascendion team!

See more member-to-member updates: https://mbc.com.ph/mbc-member-to-member/

12/08/2026

What does access to information have to do with the price of food? 🌾📊

When critical agricultural data on soil conditions, weather, production, markets, and demand is difficult to access, farmers and businesses are forced to make decisions with incomplete information.

Our 2025 publication on the Business Case for Freedom of Information (FOI) in Agriculture demonstrates how greater access to reliable public data can help reduce business costs, improve decision-making, strengthen food security, and support a more competitive agricultural sector.

📖 Read MBC's Business Case for FOI in Agriculture:
https://mbc.com.ph/3d-flip-book/the-business-case-for-foi-agriculture/

🎥 Watch: https://youtube.com/shorts/sZXpheXMBe8?feature=share

FOI is more than transparency. It is economic infrastructure.

It’s time to pass the Right to Information law.

11/08/2026

UNEMPLOYMENT SLIGHTLY RISES IN JUNE 2026 AND MORE FILIPINOS FACE UNDEREMPLOYMENT

The number of unemployed Filipinos increased slightly to 4.9% (2.59 million workers) from 4.8% in May and remained above the 3.7% recorded in June 2025. Meanwhile, the underemployment rate declined slightly to 12.1% from 12.2% in May, but remained higher than the 11.4% recorded a year ago. However, while the underemployment rate edged down slightly, the actual number of underemployed Filipinos increased to 6.11 million from 6.04 million. This reflects the growth in the overall pool of employed workers, but while a slightly smaller share of workers were underemployed, the larger workforce still resulted in more Filipinos looking for additional work or income.

The services sector remained the country’s largest source of jobs, accounting for 62.7% of total employment, followed by agriculture (20.0%) and industry (17.3%). Year-on-year, the strongest employment gains were recorded in accommodation and food services (+481,000), administrative and support services (+456,000), public administration and defense (+440,000), education (+354,000), and arts, entertainment and recreation (+168,000). Meanwhile, wholesale and retail trade (-903,000) and fishing and aquaculture (-467,000) posted the largest employment declines.

Month-on-month, employment gains were concentrated in agriculture and forestry (+453,000), other services (+437,000), public administration and defense (+393,000), wholesale and retail trade (+213,000), and education (+150,000).

For a wider range of updated economic data, please see the MBC Economic Dashboard: https://mbc.com.ph/economy-dashboard/

11/08/2026

HAPPENING NOW: A special roundtable discussion with Kearney on Navigating Global Recalibration – Strategic Imperatives for PH Business Leaders.

Kearney’s Region Chair for Asia-Pacific, Mr. Shigeru Sekinada, is giving a presentation on how Philippine companies can remain resilient amid geopolitical, trade, and AI-driven shifts.

Later, he will be joined by Kearney Managing Partner for Southeast Asia, Mr. Varun Arora, for a panel discussion, which Country Head for the Philippines, Mr. Marco De La Rosa, will moderate.

11/08/2026

[MBC IN THE NEWS] Business groups welcomed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), citing progress in energy security, investment reforms, digital transformation, agriculture, and governance, but urged the administration to address key gaps and ensure faster implementation of promised reforms.

Read the article on the Daily Tribune: https://tribune.net.ph/2026/07/29/marcos-sona-hits-misses-business-verdict

Business groups give a mixed but hopeful verdict on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth SONA, praising progress in energy security, investment reforms, digital transformation, agriculture and governance, while urging faster, more transparent implementation of key economic and regulatory reforms...

10/08/2026

On July 24, MBC extended its warmest congratulations to Elsal Ventures and its sister company, Gallery Genesis, on the launch of their landmark 45th Anniversary celebration “Threads of Being: A One-Man Exhibition by Rolando ‘Rolan’ B. Guina.”

For 45 years, Gallery Genesis has remained committed to its founding vision: providing a platform for gifted artists whose exceptional talent deserves greater recognition. As it celebrates this milestone anniversary, Gallery Genesis continues that tradition by presenting Threads of Being, reaffirming its belief that remarkable artistry should always be discovered, celebrated, and shared.

MBC Membership and Partnerships Head Bianca Castro represented MBC at the ceremonial ribbon-cutting. Joining her were distinguished leaders, diplomats, and friends from the media, including Malaysian Ambassador H.E. Dato' Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Gallery Genesis Founder Araceli “Chichi” Salas, Gallery Genesis President Patrice Salas, Elsal Ventures FVP for Project Implementation Rhoda Salas, Gallery Genesis Chairman Emeritus Ernesto Salas, Master Watercolorist Rolando “Rolan” Guina, Manila Times President and COO Bianca Mercado, TV Host and Beauty Queen Miriam Quiambao, Metropolitan Museum of Manila President Tina Colayco, and Philippine Star Content Producer Carlos Miguel Libosada.

Here’s to 45 years of uplifting Philippine art and culture! 🥂

Know more about MBC Membership: https://lnkd.in/gqtnNQwh

10/08/2026

Frequent business travel to the U.S. and Canada? ✈️🌎

Make your airport experience smoother with the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC). Eligible Filipino business executives can enjoy access to fast-track immigration lanes at participating airports, helping you spend less time in line and more time on business.

MBC encourages eligible executives from member companies to explore the benefits of the ABTC and apply today.

Know more: https://mbc.com.ph/apec-business-travel-card-abtc/