By TARA YAP
ILOILO CITY – The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Iloilo Chapter was recently awarded the 2024 Presidential Recognition for Outstanding Development Partners, a flagship initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. awards the 2024 Presidential Recognition for Outstanding Development Partners to the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Iloilo Chapter in Malacañang. (DTI Iloilo)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. bestowed the award last week to PCCI-Iloilo, led by President Engr. Fulbert Woo, for improving market access of MSMEs in the Visayas.
The PCCI-Iloilo was recognized for its flagship program Iloilo Business Expo (ILOBEX).
Touted as the biggest business exhibit in Western Visayas, ILOBEX started in 2022 as PCCI-Iloilo worked to bounce back from the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The ILOBEX provided a platform for MSMEs from here and the province of Iloilo to showcase their products and eventually recover from the pandemic.
ILOBEX continues to support Iloilo MSMEs by providing training and workshops on sustainable business practices, marketing strategies, and product innovation.
PCCI-Iloilo Vice President Jerduen Noi Dongor, chairperson of the annual ILOBEX, accompanied Woo during the awarding ceremony in Malacañang.
The PCCI-Iloilo was joined by DTI-6 Regional Director Rachel N. Nufable and DTI-Iloilo Provincial Director Maria Dinda R. Tamayo.
Meanwhile, PCCI-Iloilo is preparing to host the 33rd Visayas Area Business Conference (VABC) from July 25 to 26.