Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry

18/05/2026

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Raymond Jude Aguilar said current measures for MSMEs seek to create fair competition by easing regulatory barriers and improving ease of doing business.

18/05/2026

Look: The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted the Indonesia–Philippines High-Level Business Roundtable on May 7, 2026 in Cebu City.

The event brought together around 50 business leaders and government officials from both countries and was honored by the presence of His Excellency Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.

In his remarks, DTI Undersecretary Allan Gepty emphasized that the agreements and discussions align with ASEAN’s drive for deeper regional economic integration and resilience amid global uncertainties, citing key Philippine chairmanship priorities such as the ASEAN power grid, the Digital Economy Framework Agreement, food security, critical minerals cooperation, and green infrastructure investment.

Minister Airlangga Hartarto, highlighted the need for decisive joint action, highlighting opportunities in BIMP-EAGA, renewable energy, and a tariff-free special economic zone with the Philippines as a central hub.

PCCI President Ferdinand A. Ferrer and KADIN Vice Chairman for Foreign Affairs Bernardino Moningka Vega both underscored the strength of bilateral ties and the growing opportunities in trade, tourism, education, labor, and industry.

The roundtable also saw the signing of several memoranda of understanding including MOU between PCCI and KADIN; and discussions on new cooperation areas in agriculture, nickel development, aviation MRO services, halal development, and investment opportunities in Cebu, including a water treatment project aimed at supporting sustainable growth and regional development.

The event concluded with the proposal to establish a joint task force on Halal development aimed at strengthening cooperation and enhancing the competitiveness of businesses within the Brunei–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP‑EAGA).

18/05/2026

Philippine Firms Eye Investment Opportunities in Cambodia

(Philippines): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet received a courtesy call from Jude Aguilar, Chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), on the sidelines of the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Republic of the Philippines.

During the meeting, the PCCI chairman expressed his deep gratitude to Samdech Thipadei for taking time from his busy schedule to meet him and his delegation.

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(Philippines): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet received a courtesy call from Jude Aguilar, Chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), on the sidelines of the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Republic of the Philippines. During...

15/05/2026

𝐏𝐂𝐂𝐈 𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐒 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐒

The PCCI Membership Recruitment and Retention Committee conducted a Briefing and Orientation for New Members last April 23, 2026 at the PCCI Office.

The briefing was made meaningful by the presence and message of PCCI President Perry Ferrer, Membership Recruitment and Retention Committee Chair Socorro Bautista and Secretary General Ruben Pascual.

At said event, Pres. Ferrer encouraged members to remain active in PCCI initiatives and provided updates on upcoming partnerships and opportunities within the organization. Chair Bautista likewise emphasized the various advocacy programs in collaboration with key government agencies and economic clusters as well as networking linkages among business organizations, social and civic groups.

The event highlighted the PCCI’s core programs and services, industry clusters, and bilateral councils for member engagement, with emphasis on networking and collaboration opportunities. It concluded with an exchange of insights and initial discussions on member concerns.

The briefing gathered forty-seven (47) participants representing thirty-four (34) member companies across key sectors including Consumer Goods and Retail; Human Resources and Professional Services; Business, Legal, and Financial Services; Information Technology and Creative Industries; Manufacturing, Construction, and Engineering; Energy; Agriculture and Food; Logistics; and Healthcare.

14/05/2026

𝐏𝐂𝐂𝐈 𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐰𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐬
𝑪𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒚 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒚

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) today expressed grave concern over the recent red alerts and widespread rotational brownouts that hit both the Luzon and Visayas grids last May 13, the country's first red alert this year that left over 200,000 businesses and and households without power for an average of 3 hours. This supply instability comes at a time when the Philippine economy is already under severe strain, with GDP growth slowing to 2.8% in Q1 2026 and inflation projected to reach 6.3%.

The situation is particularly alarming in the Visayas, where the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has placed the grid under red alert from 3–8 p.m. and yellow alert from 8–9 p.m. on May 13, 2026.

With 2,510 MW available capacity against 2,413 MW peak demand, the margin is dangerously thin. Compounding this, 12 power plants have been on forced outage since March 2026, while 15 plants are operating at derated capacities, resulting in 862.3 MW unavailable to the grid.

PCCI president Perry Ferrer stated, "The looming power crisis in the Visayas is a wake-up call. Energy instability is not just a regional issue, it is a national economic risk. With growth already at 2.8% and inflation rising, prolonged brownouts will further weaken productivity, investor confidence, and household welfare."

At the Energy Summit 2026 last May 12, PCCI underscored the urgency of diversifying energy sources, accelerating renewable investments, and strengthening infrastructure transparency. The discussions highlighted that energy reliability is not only a technical issue but a critical economic safeguard.

Ferrer emphasized that the current crisis validates calls for reform and collaboration.

The Chamber warns that continued power instability will further weaken investor confidence, exacerbate inflationary pressures, and undermine inclusive growth. To address the situation, PCCI urged swift action to:
- Enhance contingency planning and transparent communication during grid alerts.
- Fast-track reforms that incentivize renewable and alternative energy investments.
- Address systemic inefficiencies in power generation and distribution.
- Prioritize vulnerable sectors most affected by brownouts and inflation.

The Chamber stated its commitment to continue working with government, energy providers, and stakeholders to ensure resilience in the face of energy and economic challenges.

14/05/2026

𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐍𝐎𝐖: 𝑨 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝑪𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒐 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑷𝑪𝑪𝑰 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕

​“We are not developing a nation waiting to arrive. We are a resilient nation already in motion, and the world would do well to watch the Philippines and the Visayas where we are going.”

​These were the powerful words of Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) President Ferdinand "Perry" Ferrer today during his address at the 35th Visayas Area Business Conference (VABC). Running from May 13 to 15, this premier regional event is hosted by the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) at the L'Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City. The conference brings together key players across various sectors to discuss economic trends and sustainable growth in the region.

​In line with the "Future Forward" theme of the event, President Ferrer's message to the Visayan business community was clear: it’s time to lead the charge toward a smart, sustainable, and resilient future.

14/05/2026

𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊: Chamber leaders and business stakeholders from across the Visayas convened today 14 May 2026 at the La Proa Main of L'Fisher Hotel for the Visayas Chamber Development Workshop, a supporting activity of the 35th Visayas Area Business Conference (VABC) aimed at strengthening chamber leadership, sustainability, and regional collaboration.

The workshop formally opened with welcome remarks from Atty. Jobert A. Peñaflorida, Chairperson of the 35th VABC and Area Vice President for Visayas of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, followed by the opening statement of Consul Enunina V. Mangio, Chair of Philippine Chamber Development Institute (PhilCDI). Both emphasized the critical role of local chambers in driving inclusive economic growth, innovation, and business resilience across the Visayas.

One of the highlights of the workshop was Session 1 titled “Trail of the Outliers: What Makes a Chamber Successful and Progressive,” which focused on diversifying chamber funding sources with fiscal discipline, inter-chamber collaboration, and succession planning. Serving as panelists were Mr. Regan Rex King, President of Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Atty. Juliana A. Carbon, President of Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Mr. Jerduen “Noi” Dongor, President of PCCI Iloilo. The session was moderated by Ms. Maricel Ngo, Past Regional Governor for Region 8 of PCCI.

The activity also featured the signing of the Big Brotherhood Agreement with MBCCI and the Memorandum of Understanding for the Visayas Island-Chambers Tourism Alliance (VITA), further reinforcing cooperation among Visayas chambers in promoting tourism development and regional economic integration.

In Session 2, Mangio discussed the PCCI Policy on LCCI Membership, providing chamber leaders with updates and guidance on organizational governance and membership development.

Another major segment of the workshop was Session 3 titled “Strengthening Regional Voices: Meet PCCI’s Five Area Vice Presidents,” moderated by Mr. Ruben J. Pascual, PCCI Secretary General. The panel featured Ms. Yolanda Dela Cruz, Area Vice President for NCR; Atty. Maria Amalia T. Cayanan, Area Vice President for North Luzon; Mr. Hoover Picar, Area Vice President for South Luzon; Atty. Jobert A. Peñaflorida, Area Vice President for Visayas; and Ms. Nenita R. Malbas, Area Vice President for Mindanao. Discussions centered on regional priorities, chamber development initiatives, and strengthening collaboration among chambers nationwide.

The Special Session on “Using Technology to Combat Corruption in Government Projects” was delivered by Hon. Carlos Jericho L. Petilla, Governor of the Province of Leyte, who shared insights on transparency, innovation, and digital governance in public service.

The workshop concluded with closing remarks from Mr. Edward C. Du, President of NOCCI and Vice Chairman for Visayas of PhilCDI, who encouraged chambers across the Visayas to continue building stronger partnerships and unified regional action towards sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

The program was hosted by Ms. Stephanie Diane “Twinkle” U. Chu, Past Regional Governor for Region 8 of PCCI.

13/05/2026

IN PHOTOS: The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), in partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Paraguay, hosted a vibrant high-level business dialogue at the historic Laperal Mansion on May 11, 2026, bringing together Filipino and Paraguayan business leaders to strengthen economic ties and unlock new opportunities for trade, investment, and collaboration.

The event was honored by the presence of His Excellency Santiago Peña Palacios, President of the Republic of Paraguay, whose participation underscored Paraguay’s firm commitment to deepening economic engagement and fostering dynamic partnerships with the Philippines and the broader Southeast Asian region.

The dialogue was also attended by His Excellency Marco Riquelme, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Paraguay, and Hon. Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, Secretary of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry.

Minister Riquelme presented key insights on Paraguay’s business landscape, outlining priority sectors and investment opportunities where Philippine and Paraguayan enterprises can collaborate, expand partnerships, and further enhance market access.

Secretary Aldeguer-Roque reaffirmed the Philippines’ continued support for expanding bilateral trade and investment cooperation, emphasizing the importance of strengthening institutional and private sector linkages to further deepen economic engagement between the Philippines and Paraguay.

In his remarks, PCCI President Ferdinand Ferrer emphasized the importance of advancing the partnership between the Philippines and Paraguay through expanded trade and business engagement as well as sustained economic cooperation that will create long-term opportunities for both countries.

A major highlight of the gathering was the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between PCCI and REDIEX (Investment and Export Network of Paraguay), marking an important milestone in expanding institutional cooperation and business connectivity.

The high-level business dialogue reflected the shared commitment of the Philippine and Paraguayan business communities to strengthen economic cooperation, encourage business partnerships, and explore new opportunities for trade and investment between the two countries.

12/05/2026

𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒: PCCI President Perry A. Ferrer formally opened the 2026 Energy Summit, jointly organized by the PCCI Membership Committee and Energy Committee, at the New World Hotel, Makati City.

In his remarks, Ferrer emphasized the urgent need for the Philippines to secure reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy by harnessing its vast natural resources and the ingenuity of its people.

He outlined three strategic pillars for government action:

• Accelerating indigenous energy development
• Modernizing the country’s energy infrastructure
• Building strategic partnerships anchored on sovereignty

“𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒓𝒖𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒖𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒚. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒑𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆. 𝑳𝒆𝒕 𝒖𝒔 𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝒅𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒚—𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝑭𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒐 𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚, 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆, 𝒂𝒇𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚,” Ferrer stressed.

The Summit brought together over 200 participants, including PCCI members, local chambers, government leaders, industry players, and key stakeholders.

12/05/2026

𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐍𝐎𝐖: PCCI is now holding the panel discussion on “Unlocking the Philippines’ Indigenous Energy Resources – The Investment and Regulatory Imperative” as part of the PCCI Energy Summit 2026.

The discussion brings together key government and industry leaders to examine how the Philippines can accelerate the responsible development of its indigenous energy resources, including natural gas, geothermal prospects, and offshore hydrocarbons, while addressing investment barriers, regulatory reforms, grid strengthening, and renewable energy expansion.

Featured panelists include Director Sharon O. Montaner of the Energy Regulatory Commission; Mr. Jose Victor Emmanuel “Jocot” A. De Dios, President and CEO of Prime CoreGen; Mr. Edgar Benedict Cutiongco, President of the Philippine Petroleum Association; Mr. Francis Giles B. Puno, President and COO of First Gen Corp.; and Mr. Vicente N. Loria, Transmission Development Senior Manager of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.

Through this exchange, PCCI seeks to surface practical recommendations that can help reduce the country’s import dependence, improve energy affordability, and support a more secure, competitive, and resilient Philippine energy future.

12/05/2026

𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐍𝐎𝐖: The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry holds its 2nd General Membership Meeting: Energy Summit 2026 at the New World Makati Hotel, under the theme “Securing the Philippines’ Energy Future: Strategy for Energy Resource Security in a Disrupted World.”

The Summit highlights the urgent need to develop the country’s indigenous energy resources, accelerate renewable energy expansion, improve the regulatory and investment climate, and build a more balanced and secure energy mix that can support industries, businesses, and Filipino households.

Through the discussions, PCCI seeks to help shape a Philippine Energy Resource Security Roadmap that will promote energy affordability, attract long-term private sector investments, and support sustained economic growth in an increasingly disrupted world.