GUEST COLUMNIST
By PCCI CHAIRMAN DR. WILLIAM S. CO
All roads lead to the much-anticipated business conference in the country happening on Oct. 25 to 26 at The Manila Hotel.
Over 1,200 local and foreign delegates are expected to gather and listen from visionary leaders and policymakers on significant insights and discussions in mapping out the pathway for the country’s future. This conference is also an avenue for our members, local chambers, and partners to engage, network, and create business partnerships.
I would like to congratulate in advance, my colleague, Architect Jun Palafox, who is this year’s conference chairman for what is surely a successful 49th PBC&E. I believe that there is an unexpected influx of attendees and seats are already running out with still a huge number of delegates on the waiting list. This is a good problem though and the organizing committee is doing its best to accommodate all registrations.
Following tradition, the PBC&E opens with a keynote address from the country’s vice president, who, by the way, has already confirmed, and concludes with the Philippine President.
This year’s PBC will feature plenary sessions with renowned local and international speakers and a dialogue with government executives and policymakers. Topping the list of confirmed are Vice President Sara Duterte, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, Information and Technology Secretary Ivan Uy, Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, Securities and Exchange Commissioner Jayvee Paul D. Francisco, Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, MGen. Delfin N. Lorenzana (Ret), Chairman, Bases Conversion and Development Authority; Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera, president and CEO, Clark Development Corporation; Secretary Maria Belen S. Acosta, chairperson, Mindanao Development Authority; Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon of the National Economic Development Authority and Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas.
Also confirmed are H.E David Hartman, Canada ambassador to the Philippines; H.E. Shambhu Santha Kumaran, ambassador of India to the Philippines; and H.E. Koshikawa Kazuhiko, ambassador of Japan to the Philippines.
Other confirmed speakers and panelists are Raoul Eduardo C. Romulo, CFO, San Miguel Corp; Justine Raagas, executive director, Philippine Business for Education; Dr. Thirso A. Ronquillo, president, Batangas State University; Dr. Carmencita Padilla, chancellor, University of the Philippines; Ferdinand A. Ferrer, chairman/CEO, EMS Group; Paul Edmund S. Cuyegkeng, chairman and CEO, Sumifru Philippines Corporation; Samie Lim, president, Canadian Tourism and Hospitality Institute; Roberto Batungbacal, senior adviser, Samahan sa Pilipinas ng Industriya Kimika; Atty. Dante R. Bravo, president and CEO, Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc.
Moderating the discussions are Dr. Alberto P. Fenix, Jr., president, PCCI Human Resources Development Foundation; Atty. Pablo Gancayco, senior partner, GBA Law and Corporate Secretary, PCCI; Ma. Lorelei C. Fajardo, Lead Strategic Advisor, USAID-Delivering Effective Government for Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth; Antonio Lopez, President and CEO, BizNewsAsia; Dr. Carl Balita, president/CEO, Carl Balita Review Center; and Dante Ang II, president/CEO, The Manila Times and Pia Archangel, news anchor, GMA-7.
Learn more on the fundamentals of achieving Vision 2050. Join the 49th PBC&E happening on Oct. 25-26, 2023 at The Manila Hotel. For inquiries and updates, visit PCCI’s official facebook page @pcciofficial or email [email protected]
(Dr. William S. Co is chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and director of the Agriculture and Fishery committee.)