Local business communities should remain steadfast in their role to help build the nation despite challenges, such as rising Covid-19 cases and inflationary pressures.
Converge ICT Solutions Inc. CEO and Co-Founder Dennis Anthony Uy underscored the role of the business community in regaining investor confidence in the Philippines on Monday's, Aug. 8, Makati Business Club (MBC) forum, “Leading in Extraordinary Times”.
“Every successful business is a step towards economic recovery. So, let us do what we do best. Keep our shops running, identify opportunities, innovate, and continue to help improve lives,” he urged.
The government needs private sector support for economic recovery, especially in infrastructure development, Uy maintained.
“These are difficult times, I admit, but with cooperation from the business sector and sound economic management from the (new) administration, we can survive this economic downturn,” according to the Converge CEO.
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr. earlier formed the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) to serve as the representative body of the Philippine business community.
Uy is a member of the PSAC's Digital Infrastructure committee, focusing on narrowing the digital divide and achieving universal connectivity.
Converge takes part in nation-building by connecting the unserved and underserved communities, opening up new opportunities for Filipinos “by promoting digital democracy and extending the right to connectivity to the marginalized”, he noted.
As of end-March 2022, Converge already covered more than 12 million Filipino households with 6.5 million fiber ports.
This was powered by over 500,000 kilometers of total fiber assets, being the youngest and one of the most extensive in the country.
“Now is not the time to turn inwards or mind our own business; rather, now more than ever we should go out of our comfort zones and seek out larger causes that help the common Filipino,” Uy advocated.
Telstra Philippines Managing Director Benjamin Romualdez, who was also present in the MBC event, underscored the impact of the pandemic to industries and the importance of connectivity for customers.
“We see tremendous potential in the Philippines. As the leading submarine network operator in Asia, Telstra can leverage this core strength to accelerate the country’s potential as the Asia’s next connectivity hub. Our purpose in Telstra is to build a connected future so everyone can thrive,” says Romualdez.
This year’s Makati Business Club Forum, in partnership with Microsoft Philippines, highlights the experiences and practices of local CEOs.
“We started this series just months into the pandemic to give members and executives the opportunity to hear from each other about how to navigate the crisis,” says MBC Executive Director Coco Alcuaz.