PH industries lost a fierce stalwart in Donald Dee
Published Dec 2, 2018 01:13 pm
By Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat
Philippine industry stalwart Donald Gochioco Dee succumbed to the big C Saturday night (Dec. 1). He was 72.
(ECOP / FACEBOOK/ MANILA BULLETIN)
As a leader, Dee championed the domestic industries, balancing the interests of employers and labor.
“Donald is a strong advocate for Philippine industries and served us for decades,” said his good friend Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr., president of the Philippine Exporters Confederation of the Philippines.
Dee started in the garments manufacturing sector where he nurtured the industry’s growth when he served as chairman of the Confederation of Garment Exporters of the Philippines.
His industry advocacies became even more prominent when he joined and served as president of the country’s largest business organization Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) and Philippine Exporters Confederation (PhilExport) among others.
Dee served these associations up the very end. “He was still working even when he was already sick,” said Ortiz-Luiz.
He served once again as ECOP president until his death.
ECOP mourns the passing of its leader.
In its FaceBook page, ECOP said, ”The business community lost a passionate champion and leader, a stalwart in the industry, and a staunch advocate of and for employers.”
“The Philippine industry lost a leader who truly cares for the country’s national development,” said Alegria Bing Limjoco, PCCI president.
PCCI Chairman Emeritus Francis Chua said, “If PCCI is the voice of business, Donald is the voice that fights for the rights and interests of entrepreneurs.”
“He is vocal and fearless. He will live forever in the memory and heart of those whom he has helped unselfishly. “
“Donald is a fierce advocate of good business policies. He faced policymakers and social partners without fear or hesitation as he articulated and defended PCCI and ECOP position on national issues affecting business and investment,” said Ed Lacson, a friend and colleague at ECOP and PCCI.
Dee also served as honorary chairman and chief operating officer (COO) of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), and founding trustee of the Philippine Business for Education (PBED). He was also a former council member of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ABAC)-Philippines.
He served as Special Envoy for Trade Negotiations under the Arroyo administration. He was the chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Universal Access to Competitiveness and Trade (U-ACT), an affiliate think-tank of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).
As a business figure, he was also the president of Phoenix Resource and Management Corporation. He is also a director of the Manila Exposition Complex Inc. and president of Pan Pacific Airways. He was a member of the Beacheads – South East Asia New Zealand Trade & Enterprise.
He was a member of the execom of the Export Development Council (EDC) and a co-champion of the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) for Education and Human Resource.
He previously served as Commissioner of Social Security System (SSS) in 2001-2010, and director of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT).
Dee is survived by his wife Ophelia M. Dee: his children Irene Kathleen and her husband Gregory Der, John Christopher and Patrick Alan; his stepchildren Apples Aberin, Carlos Aberin and his wife Michelle Pe, Orange Aberin and her husband Nara Sulisto, Peaches Aberin and her husband Justin Ong; grandchildren Gregory Martin, Isabella, Gianina, Ellie, Danika, Samantha, Carlos, Solenn, Satrya, Jamie and Georgina; siblings Daisy and Leo, Dolly, Dewey and Lily, Dionne, Danis,Dulce and Mike. He was predeceased by his brother Dudley, and brothers-in-law Johnny and Emmanuel.
His wake will be at the Capilla del Señor of Santuario de San Antonio, Makati City from Sunday, Dec. 2 with daily celebration of the mass at 7 p.m. Interment will be on Sunday morning, Dec. 5. 2018.
(ECOP / FACEBOOK/ MANILA BULLETIN)
As a leader, Dee championed the domestic industries, balancing the interests of employers and labor.
“Donald is a strong advocate for Philippine industries and served us for decades,” said his good friend Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr., president of the Philippine Exporters Confederation of the Philippines.
Dee started in the garments manufacturing sector where he nurtured the industry’s growth when he served as chairman of the Confederation of Garment Exporters of the Philippines.
His industry advocacies became even more prominent when he joined and served as president of the country’s largest business organization Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) and Philippine Exporters Confederation (PhilExport) among others.
Dee served these associations up the very end. “He was still working even when he was already sick,” said Ortiz-Luiz.
He served once again as ECOP president until his death.
ECOP mourns the passing of its leader.
In its FaceBook page, ECOP said, ”The business community lost a passionate champion and leader, a stalwart in the industry, and a staunch advocate of and for employers.”
“The Philippine industry lost a leader who truly cares for the country’s national development,” said Alegria Bing Limjoco, PCCI president.
PCCI Chairman Emeritus Francis Chua said, “If PCCI is the voice of business, Donald is the voice that fights for the rights and interests of entrepreneurs.”
“He is vocal and fearless. He will live forever in the memory and heart of those whom he has helped unselfishly. “
“Donald is a fierce advocate of good business policies. He faced policymakers and social partners without fear or hesitation as he articulated and defended PCCI and ECOP position on national issues affecting business and investment,” said Ed Lacson, a friend and colleague at ECOP and PCCI.
Dee also served as honorary chairman and chief operating officer (COO) of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), and founding trustee of the Philippine Business for Education (PBED). He was also a former council member of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ABAC)-Philippines.
He served as Special Envoy for Trade Negotiations under the Arroyo administration. He was the chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Universal Access to Competitiveness and Trade (U-ACT), an affiliate think-tank of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).
As a business figure, he was also the president of Phoenix Resource and Management Corporation. He is also a director of the Manila Exposition Complex Inc. and president of Pan Pacific Airways. He was a member of the Beacheads – South East Asia New Zealand Trade & Enterprise.
He was a member of the execom of the Export Development Council (EDC) and a co-champion of the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) for Education and Human Resource.
He previously served as Commissioner of Social Security System (SSS) in 2001-2010, and director of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT).
Dee is survived by his wife Ophelia M. Dee: his children Irene Kathleen and her husband Gregory Der, John Christopher and Patrick Alan; his stepchildren Apples Aberin, Carlos Aberin and his wife Michelle Pe, Orange Aberin and her husband Nara Sulisto, Peaches Aberin and her husband Justin Ong; grandchildren Gregory Martin, Isabella, Gianina, Ellie, Danika, Samantha, Carlos, Solenn, Satrya, Jamie and Georgina; siblings Daisy and Leo, Dolly, Dewey and Lily, Dionne, Danis,Dulce and Mike. He was predeceased by his brother Dudley, and brothers-in-law Johnny and Emmanuel.
His wake will be at the Capilla del Señor of Santuario de San Antonio, Makati City from Sunday, Dec. 2 with daily celebration of the mass at 7 p.m. Interment will be on Sunday morning, Dec. 5. 2018.