The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) on Wednesday recognized private sector leaders and top corporations that contributed immensely to the growth of the organization and the country's economy in general, with Ambassador Francis C. Chua receiving the PCCI Presidential Excellence Award.
Chua, a former president of PCCI and currently the chamber's chairman emeritus, now holds the distinction of being the first recipient of PCCI's highest award.
Chua, the Honorary Consul General of Peru to the Philippines and formerly Manila's special envoy to China, is credited for his programs that solidified and sustained the financial growth of PCCI.
He sealed the alliance of PCCI and the International Chamber of Commerce, the world body that establishes, promotes, and oversees the implementation of Certificate of Origin and ATA Carnet (known as the Passport for Goods).
His initiatives made PCCI a truly global chamber and brought in a steady flow of income in the hundreds of millions of pesos, allowing the chamber to pursue more projects for the benefit of micro, small and medium enterprises in the country.
Chua, founding chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce Philippines (ICCP), said he is deeply honored to receive PCCI’s most prestigious award.
“Thank you, PCCI President Amb. Yujuico. I am deeply honored to receive this most prestigious award – an award that is most fitting for you, Mr. President. I receive this on behalf of all the past Presidents of PCCI. I would also like to give special mention to my mentors — Hon. Secretary Titoy Pardo, Ramon S. Ang, Sergio R. Ortiz Luis Jr., Menardo R. Jimenez, entire Board of Directors, the secretariat of PCCI, and last but not the least, my brothers in Club 630 Jess, Bobby, Rene, Ben. This award is the fruit of all our joint efforts and collaboration. Again, thank you very much,” Chua said in receiving the award.
The PCCI, in presenting the Presidential Excellence Award, cited Chua “for his steadfast and unwavering commitment to the growth and development of the chamber movement and “the Philippine business community.”
“Ambassador Chua’s vision, business acumen and advocacies continue to push the PCCI to greater heights. His foresight has paved the way for the establishment of the Philippine Business Center, the home for start-ups and SMEs as they navigate their way to establishing their presence in the business community. The creation of PCCI’s e-commerce platform, under his guidance, is evidence of his commitment of growing and uplifting SMEs. The International Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, of which Ambassador Chua chairs, is his contribution to making the country an active participant in the international arena of the chamber movement. Beyond PCCI and his numerous business affiliations, Ambassador Chua’s philanthropic contributions have impacted the lives of scholars, frontliners, public servants and the less fortunate members of our society,” PCCI President Amb. Benedicto V. Yujuico said.